Photography News

There are probably as many portable flash options on the market now as there are roads that lead to Rome, and just as many reasons to use one. But if we are talking about one that has a classically inspired design, is portable, and delivers professional functionality with studio-grade lighting, we might just have a reason to get one. We are talking about the latest release by Viltrox, the Vintage Z1 Pro Retro On-Camera Flash. 

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Here are 10 quick landscape photography tips to help you take better landscape shots which includes points you may not have thought of such as using negative space and looking for natural frames. 

 

1. Use A Tripod

A tripod is a tool a landscape photographer shouldn't be walking out of the house without. Not only do they help reduce shake and assist with those popular blurry water techniques, but they also slow you down, giving you chance to think more about the scene in front of you and as a result, help improve your composition. You'll also be more likely to stay in one location for longer as you won't be supporting the weight of a camera and a lens meaning you can sit and watch the light change, clouds move or the sun dip below the horizon until the moment you want to capture presents itself.
 

2. Lines & Shapes Are Your Friend

Learn to look for shapes, lines or patterns which can help add direction, interest and depth to your shots. These could be paths, fences, patterns in a frozen lake, long lines of trees...etc.
 

3. Don't Be Afraid Of Negative Space

If used correctly, the empty space you leave in your shots (negative space) can make your photograph more interesting and easier to focus on rather than trying to fill every inch of the frame with interest.

 

4. Find A Frame

When used correctly, frames can help focus the viewer's eye on the main subject and they don't always have to be full frames either as a hanging branch, for example, can work just as successfully at guiding the eye. Look for arches created by paths of trees, leaves/hedges you can blur into an out of focus frame...etc. 

 

 

5. Move The Horizon

As well as keeping the horizon straight you need to avoid sitting it right in the middle of your frame as this just cuts the image in two and isn't very interesting (most of the time). When you have skies bursting with colour pull the horizon down and make more of it but if its the land that's your shining star shift the horizon up so the sky takes up less space. Of course, there are times when this rule doesn't apply but it's something you need to keep in mind when setting your shot up. 

 

6. Emphasize Size

By adding something to the shot the viewer can use to gauge a sense of scale from, they'll be able to grasp how vast/large the landscape really is, exaggerating the 'wow' factor as a result. 

 

7. Interesting Skies Are Great

Be it cloud formations, a storm coming in off the sea or a striking sunset, the sky is a great tool for adding extra interest to your landscape shots. Don't be afraid of the rain as moody clouds can give your landscapes an interesting twist and windy days will help you add a sense of movement to your usually still landscape shots. Sometimes you'll have to be patient and wait for the light but it's worth it in the end. 

 

8. Look For Lone Subjects

A single subject in a wide landscape shot will always work well. A lonely tree, a tractor or barn are just three examples that spring to mind but no matter what you pick, you can guarantee it'll help you create a striking yet simple composition. 

 

 

9. Create Depth And Dimension

You don't want a big, boring, empty space of nothingness in the foreground of your shot as this will just result in a boring example of landscape photography. To improve your photos, include some sort of foreground interest. By doing so you'll create depth, guide the eye and give your 2D image a 3D feel. If you find there's too much of the middle of your shot that's still empty try shooting from a lower angle. 
 

10. Filters Are Your Friends 

If you are only going to carry two filters with you they should be a Graduated ND and Polarising filter. A Graduated ND filter will help you produce a more balanced exposure while a Polarising filter will help colours appear more vibrant, deepening blue skies and giving foliage more punch. This filter can also help reduce reflections and cut down on the sheen coming off fur and skin.
 

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

You'd love to purchase a quality camera, lens, and even a tripod. But photography is expensive! Is it possible to purchase these for as low as $500? Let's have a look! 

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Somewhere around the 5,000-photo mark, most photographers realize they have a problem. The images are scattered across three folders on a laptop, two external drives, a phone, a cloud account, and a memory card they forgot to import. There is no naming convention. There are duplicates everywhere. The folder called "Misc" has 800 files in it. And the idea of finding a specific shot from two years ago feels roughly as achievable as finding a specific grain of sand on a beach. 

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The difference between a forgettable walk and a productive shoot often comes down to how closely you're paying attention, not how far you've traveled.Simon  Booth makes exactly that case in this video, shot entirely along roadsides and footpaths in the Cairngorms National Park, and the results are hard to argue with. 

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Film photography has a way of humbling you fast. You shoot a roll, wait days to see the results, and get back something flat, muddy, or just... off. This helpful video lays out three specific reasons this keeps happening and what to fix, and none of them require spending more money on gear. 

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1. Pick A Strong Subject

As silhouettes don't have any detail and are, essentially, just an outline, picking a subject that has a recognisable shape and strong detail around the edge will produce shots that are more interesting. Possible subject choices include:

• Big wheels at fairgrounds or those found in cities.
• Statues which can be found in most parks and gardens.
• Trees, particularly on misty mornings.
• Tunnels or bridges make great frames for subjects when silhouetted.
• People but remember that shooting them side on will show more shape when still. 
• People in action - if they're jumping or forming an interesting frame with their legs and arms, shooting straight on can work well.

  2. Choose A Light Source 

Any subject that is surrounded by bright tones can easily appear as a silhouette. The most obvious light source to use is the sun as you can use it at the beach, in town, in your garden or even inside as long as you're working near a large window or close to a set of patio doors. But really you can use any light source, you just need to make sure it sits behind your subject.

 

3. Switch The Flash Off

When you take your camera out of its bag and use auto mode to take a shot of your subject sat against a bright background, generally the flash will fire to lighten the foreground and even out the exposure. This is usually fine but as we want to deliberately underexpose our subject, you need to make sure the flash is turned off.

 

 

4. Underexpose Your Shot When working in auto mode, most point and shoot cameras will work out the exposure and where it needs to focus when you press the shutter button halfway. So to trick it into creating a silhouette, simply point the camera at the brightest part of the scene you're photographing, press the shutter halfway down and don't let go of it. Re-frame the shot then press the shutter button the rest of the way to take your shot. This should fool the camera into giving you the exposure you want but you may have to try exposing from different parts of the image to create the silhouette you're looking for. Try using the Sunset Mode too to further enhance the silhouette you're trying to create.
  5. Check The Shot's Focus

The problem with half-pressing the shutter button to get the exposure you need is that the camera will also focus on that spot too which can mean your silhouette can lack crispness. If this happens and you can adjust the focus manually, pre-focus before you take your meter reading. You could try using Landscape mode as this will let the camera know you want to use a small aperture so your shot has front to back sharpness. If your camera features exposure compensation you'll be able to select -1 or -2 to deliberately underexpose your shot. This means you shouldn't have any problems with focusing either as you won't have to move the camera.

 

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

 

A stunning photo of Bamburgh Blues by pink has been chosen as our latest 'Photo of the Week' (POTW) winner.

This panoramic capture of Bamburgh Castle, taken in the early hours of the morning, is wrapped in cool blue tones. The warm lights from the castle give a nice contrast against the moody sky above.

The wet sand at the bottom of the frame acts as a mirror, showing the reflection of the castle lights and adding depth to the scene. The layers of sand and coastal grasses on the right-hand side give a strong sense of place within the Northumberland coastline. The dramatic cloudscape overhead, with its heavy, textured forms, completes this wonderfully moody early morning capture.

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 2027, we’ll crown our 2026 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!

Shooting minimalist photography with long exposures is harder than it looks, especially when the tide is actively trying to trap you. Gary Gough takes that challenge head-on at Happisburgh Beach in Norfolk, working a low tide window to pull compositions out of groynes, sunken structures, and a half-buried tide bell before the sea forces a retreat. 

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ON1 Photo Raw 2026.4 just landed, and the headline feature is Restore AI, a tool that can repair damaged prints, colorize old black-and-white images, and clean up degraded film scans. If you have a box of old family photos sitting around, this update is worth your attention. 

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For good garden photos your garden needs to be looking at its best and the light has to be right. But as you look out of the window at it every day, you'll see when your plants and flowers look their best and you can easily be out there with your camera in minutes snapping that perfect garden shot.

  1. What Gear Do I Need? 

Your standard zoom is fine but if you want to get closer to the flowers to hide the weeds you need a macro lens. If it's very bright attach a polariser to your lens to reduce glare and consider using a tripod that has a centre column that can be used in a horizontal position to get closer to flowerheads. A small reflector will help direct light to where it's needed and you don't even have to purchase one as you can create your own from foil and card. 
 

2. Avoid Bright, Sunny Days 

To be honest, bright days when the sun is high in the sky can be awkward as the colours will be too harsh and you'll have deep, dark shadows. A lot of flower photographers prefer early mornings, but a still evening's just as good. In fact, why not get outside after work and enjoy the warmth of the evening while you take your photographs? Hazy days when it's a little cloudy but the sun's still shining are perfect, though, as the clouds act as a giant softbox, diffusing the light.
 

3. Dealing With Windy Days 

If there's a gentle breeze in the air crank up the shutter speed or stick your camera on a tripod and slow the speed right down if you fancy taking some experimental shots.

 

4. How Green Is Your Garden? 

If your garden's too green you may need to narrow your focus as even though your eyes can see the spots of colour your camera might not. Getting in closer will also hide the weeds and broken shed windows you want to disguise or you could use them as subject as weeds can be just as photogenic as roses.

 

 

5. Create Paths And Frames 

If you have a path use it to guide the viewer's eye from the front to the back of the image, creating depth. A small aperture will give plenty of depth-of-field. Give your garden a 'frame' too as with portraits, they can be improved with one. Entrances, arches, gates, hedges and overhanging trees all work well. Also, look beyond your garden hedge and fence to see if you have a view that can add to your garden landscape.

 

6. Shoot Some Macro Work 

If you do get your macro lens out make sure you fill the frame and blur the background with a larger aperture. Flowers are nice but look for interesting leaves too as these often have textures flowers don't have. Keep your eye out for insects such as butterflies who can be found on a cool morning with their wings open warming up too.

 

7. Make The Most Of Showers 

If a gentle shower's fallen get outside as you can get great images. Close-ups of water droplets on blooms can look great. Of course, if you haven't had any rain for a while, fill a water spray or even a watering can and provide your own 'dew' or 'rain'.

 

8. Take Garden Photos All Year Round 

Don't think this is just a one evening project either as different seasons, mood and light give you endless photographic opportunities right on your doorstep.

 

 

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

Buying your first serious camera in 2026 means walking into one of the noisiest markets in recent memory. Compact cameras are surging. Retro-styled bodies are outselling flagships. YouTube reviewers are pushing full frame. Reddit says Fujifilm. The camera store wants to sell you whatever kit is sitting on the shelf. And every recommendation answers the same question: "What camera should I buy?" 

That is the wrong question. The better one is: "What camera will help me learn and keep shooting?"

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The latest winner of our popular daily photography theme which takes place in our forums have been chosen and congratulations go to pink (Day 21- 'The Sea').

 

Daily Theme Runners-Up

If you didn't win this time, keep uploading your images to the daily competition forum for another chance to win! If you're new to the Daily Theme, you can find out more about it in the Daily Theme Q&A. 

Well done to our latest runners-up, too, whose images you can take a look at below.

  Day 17

Abstract

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Day 18

Running

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Day 19

Animals & Wildlife

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Day 20

Landmarks

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  Day 22

Leaves & Tree

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Day 23

Swans

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You’ll find the Daily Themes, along with other great photo competitions, over in our Forum. Take a look to see the latest daily photo contests. Open to all levels of photographer, you’re sure to find a photography competition to enter. Why not share details of competitions with our community? Join the camaraderie and upload an image to our Gallery.

 

With warmer weather finally arriving, it's a good time to take your camera on a planned photo walk. This, of course, could be on a paid-for type of course but you can also design your own. Staying as close or venturing as far as you like from your home.

 

1. Check The Weather

Have a look online and on the TV the night before you leave and on the morning of your walk. If you're off hill walking low cloud's not good news if you want to walk higher up and blistering, bright sunshine isn't a photographer's friend no matter where you walk. There's more chance of you dehydrating too on a warmer day so either wait for cooler temperatures or pack plenty of water if you're still going to head out in it.
 

2. Dress For The Weather

Stick your head out of the door and see what the weather's like and if it is sunny do still pack a waterproof just in case.
 

3. Tell People You're Going 

Make sure someone at home knows where you're going and give them an estimated time of when you'll be back so if you do get lost, they'll know to come and find you. Take your mobile with you so they can contact you but do remember you can't get a signal in some remote locations.
 

4. Plan A Route

Don't be over adventurous as you, plus kit and stopping to take photos means, generally, you won't have the time to walk very far. A quick, short route that circles back on itself will be fine, in fact, a one/two-hour walk that takes you into a town/village or just around the area you live in would be perfectly good if you've not tried a photography walk before. If you do want to venture into the countryside you might not want to climb up to many steep hills on your first walk but you don't have to get too high to shoot interesting sweeping vistas. Try walking along the side of a river or through the woods instead.
 

5. Capture A Variety Of Imagery 

Of course, there will be plenty of wide landscapes to capture out of the city but don't overlook shooting a few close up shots too. Look out for flowers, interesting patterns in bark and insects on your trail. If you see something in the distance, a waterfall for example, but don't have the time or energy to get closer to it use the pulling power of a longer focal length to bring it to you. This will help isolate it from the wider scene and also bring detail into the shot that may not have been seen if you shot it with a wide lens. Closer to home get up higher to stop problems with converging verticals and this will also give you the chance to capture some cityscapes. In between the buildings look for reflections and interesting detail/patterns roof tiles, brickwork, fences and other objects create.

 

 

6. Pack The Right Lenses

Wide-angle zooms are good for capturing sweeping landscapes with interesting foregrounds while telephoto zoom lenses are good for picking out detail and compressing perspective. To save on weight pack just one zoom lens that covers all the focal points you need. For close up work, pack a macro lens.

7. A Tripod Is A Must 

It's always a good idea to take a tripod along, particularly for landscapes, where the built-in spirit level will help you ensure your horizons are straight. You'll also need one if you're planning on stopping to shoot some slow shutter speed shots of lakes, rivers and waterfalls. If you're planning a long-ish walk you'll need a light-weight model. Pack your remote shutter release with your tripod too for those slow shutter speed shots where shake will really be noticed.
 

8. You'll Need A Good Pair Of Shoes

You need a pair of shoes/boots that are comfy, it's a good idea to make sure they're waterproof and you'll thank them at the end of your walk if they support your ankles. Having a good sole which gives good traction is also a must if you're heading off the pavement.
 

9. Remember The Filters

Find the room in your camera bag for a polarising filter and an ND filter as they don't take up too much space but are very helpful tools on sunny days when you need to use slower shutter speeds or when reflections are a problem. An ND Grad filter can be useful too for balancing out the exposure of the sky and ground.
 

10. Pick The Right Camera Bag 

If you're off on a long walk, as well as having space for your camera and lenses make sure there's room for spare clothing, water, food and a compass.  But don't carry a bag that's too big, though, as walking is tiring enough on its own without having to carry a large bag that's half empty.

 

 

11. Always Carry Spare Batteries And Memory

You don't want to run out of power or space to store your photos when you're only halfway through your walk so always pack extra.

 

12. Don't Forget The Torch

If you're planning on photographing sunrises you'll be setting your kit up and walking while it's still dark and without a torch, this can be a little tricky. So your hands are free, take a head torch with you to light the way. Of course, if you're staying closer to home you'll have street lights so this item's not something you'll need in your bag.

 

13. Other Essential Accessories You Will Need 

Take a lens cloth to wipe dust and moister off your lens, a lens hood will help stop glare, a compass will guide you along your chosen route and a map will stop you getting lost. If you're heading out for quite a few hours make sure you take food, water and plenty of snacks with you. Make sure the clothing you're wearing is lightweight and it's often better to layer up rather than heading out in just one coat. If it's a sunny day pack your sun cream as even if there's a slight covering of cloud, the sun will still get you if you're out in it all day.

 

14. Find A Friend To Walk With You 

Taking a short walk on your own is fine but if you're going on a four-mile hike take someone else with you so if you do get lost or worse still injured, you won't just have yourself to rely on. If you're going with a none-photographer they may also help you carry your equipment and hold your bag while you're taking your shots. Do go with someone who has a slight interest in photography though as they can help you look for good locations to shoot in/of and if they don't have an interest in photography at all they'll just get bored of stopping and waiting for you to take your photos.
 

 

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

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The latest winner of our popular daily photography theme which takes place in our forums have been chosen and congratulations go to p1yu5h (Day 3- 'Dandelions').

 

Daily Theme Runners-Up

If you didn't win this time, keep uploading your images to the daily competition forum for another chance to win! If you're new to the Daily Theme, you can find out more about it in the Daily Theme Q&A. 

Well done to our latest runners-up, too, whose images you can take a look at below.

  Day 1

City Shoot

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Day 2

'Quick' Theme

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Day 4

Lighthouse In The Landscape

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Day 5

Trains

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  Day 6

Hedgerows

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Day 7

Seaside Captures

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Day 8

'Old vs New' Theme

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You’ll find the Daily Themes, along with other great photo competitions, over in our Forum. Take a look to see the latest daily photo contests. Open to all levels of photographer, you’re sure to find a photography competition to enter. Why not share details of competitions with our community? Join the camaraderie and upload an image to our Gallery.

There are some pieces of gear you expect to be good, and then there are the rare ones that change your expectations altogether. I recently tested the 31L version of the new Wandrd Prvke Pocket Bag, which is an item you don't fully appreciate until you're halfway through a trip, standing in the rain, juggling passports, tech, and camera gear. This article discusses my experience with the bag, traveling long-haul. 

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Shooting film in the snowiest city on Earth is not a casual undertaking. Aomori, Japan, sits at the top of the global rankings for annual snowfall, and photographing it on film, in blizzard conditions, with a scanning workflow you've built from scratch, demands a level of commitment that either produces something special or teaches you something hard. 

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Handmade film from a single person's garage in Ukraine, made in batches of exactly 20 rolls a month, sounds like a niche curiosity. But the results from this orthochromatic, high-silver emulsion are turning heads even among the most experienced people in the analog film world. 

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The 7Artisans 135mm f/1.8 is a fast telephoto prime available for Nikon Z, Sony E, and L mount systems at around $650. At that price, a lens with this spec sheet raises an obvious question: what's the catch? 

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Shooting wildlife in a national park means making fast decisions about exposure, composition, and focus while the subject moves, light changes, and opportunities close in seconds. Malawi's Liwonde National Park, with its mix of woodland and open terrain, puts every one of those decisions under pressure. 

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