Photography News

  Fields make great photographic subjects and better still if you play around with slow shutter speeds you don't need particularly good weather to get great photos which is good news for us Brits who quite often don't see the summer sun (although this year we are doing a little better in the sun stakes!). Some farmers have started harvesting their crops, but there are still some fields out there which the tractor hasn't reached yet.    1. Use A Wide-Angle Lens

A wide-angle lens will be the most useful bit of kit you take with you.Don't own a wide-angle lens? Take your telezoom along and just stand a little further back to get your sweeping shots of the field. 

 

2. Don't Trespass 

Make sure you're not trespassing so if there's no public access through a particular field you want to photograph stay out if it and use your telephoto.

 

3. Take Your Tripod

When using slower shutter speeds (try 1/15-1/5th or longer depending on how windy it is) you'll need a tripod as you don't want shake creeping into your shot. 

 

4. Straight Horizons

To get your horizon straight, you either need a really good eye or something to help you measure it. Some cameras have inbuilt levelling systems but if yours doesn't, you can get a spirit level that sits on the camera's hotshoe. Although, you can find in-built spirit levels on many tripod models.

 

5. Take Your Filters Along

Pack an ND filter in case the sky's a little too bright and you need to balance the exposure. 

 

6. Aperture Choices

Use a small aperture to get front to back sharpness, so you can show the whole field turning into a sea of waves.

 

7. Create Interest 

Add interest to the shot by looking out for objects such as a single tree standing at the far end of the field or a barn that will give the viewer something to focus on.

 

 

8. Guide The Eye

If there are tractor tracks use them to guide the eye from front to back. Hedges and fences can also be used for this purpose, too.

 

9. Use Frames

If there are overhanging tree branches, gate posts or if you happen to stumble across an old barn without glass in its windows or any doors, have a play around with frames in your shots to add an extra level of interest, plus they can help focus the viewer's eye when used in the correct way

 

10. Clouds Are Good

Golden light diffused by a light blanket of cloud looks great shimmering across the crop.

 

11. Photography The Sun

Clouds lower contrast and help eliminate flare which means you can shoot into the sun. Just don't look directly at it through your lens as it can cause serious damage to your eyes.

 

12. Rain Isn't A Bad Thing

Shoot in different weather conditions and at different times of the day as a dark, heavy sky full of rain adds drama to your shots while the warmer light and colours of a sunrise or sunset will make the field glow.

 

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As a landscape photographer, I find joy in exploration, seeking out compositions that have yet to be captured and waiting for the perfect light to illuminate them. Often, it leads to frustration when the weather turns bad and forces me to retreat to the car for shelter. However, learning to embrace the elements of nature and using them to your advantage to tell a story will ultimately yield a greater payoff.

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A few months ago, Sony released the long-awaited Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens. It's fantastic, but it’s almost $2,000. This month, Viltrox released their own version, with identical specs for just $600, which is the same price as...

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The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 promises portrait performance at a fraction of the cost of premium alternatives, but can a $500 lens really compete with Canon's $3,000 RF 85mm f/1.2? The helpful video puts both lenses through rigorous testing to determine if the massive price difference translates to meaningful performance gaps.

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Meike has officially released the MIX Series 24mm f/1.4 full frame autofocus lens, now available for E, Z, and L mount systems. The lens is designed for portrait and low-light photography, offering a wide aperture and fast autofocus performance.

 

Specification

• Model: MK-2414FFSTM-E/Z/L
• Focal Length: 24mm
• Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
• Filter Thread: 72mm
• Diaphragm Blades: 11
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.28m
• Focus Mode: Auto Focus
• Lens Construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
• Weight: Approximately 550g
• Full Frame Angle of View: Diagonal 84.8°, Horizontal 74.8°, Vertical 53.8°
• APS-C Angle of View: Diagonal 61.9°, Horizontal 52.8°, Vertical 36.2°

 

 

Availability

The lens is available now for E, Z, and L mount systems. The suggested retail price is USD $589.

For further information or to place an order, please visit the the Meike website.

When you thought that $10,000 lens was expensive, wait until you see these camera systems that literally cost more than a Harvard education. These aren't your typical Instagram-worthy photography gear—they're the kind of setups that make your bank account weep and your spouse file for divorce.

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Canon's RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens promises to revolutionize telephoto photography with its unprecedented zoom range at a constant f/2.8 aperture. You're looking at a lens that could potentially replace multiple prime lenses in your kit, but the $9,500 price tag demands serious consideration.

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Canon's budget-friendly RF 16mm f/2.8 STM lens has sparked debates about whether you really need to spend over $2,000 on professional glass. The question becomes even more pressing when you consider that this $300 lens promises to deliver much of what photographers need for wide angle work.

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What Is A 'Fast' Lens?

When you hear the term 'fast lens' it means that the lens in question has a large maximum aperture (the bigger the aperture, the faster the lens will be). The aperture is often displayed as an f followed by a number but do remember that a large maximum aperture will actually be a small number such as f/1.8. A fast prime lens would be considered fast when it has a maximum aperture under f/2.8. However, if the lens is 300mm or longer, an aperture of f/2.8 would be considered to be fast and the same goes for zoom lenses.

 

Let's Talk Apertures A bigger aperture (small f-number) will allow more light to reach the camera's sensor which means faster shutter speeds can be used even in low light situations. They're useful in various shooting situations including places where flash can't be used, at concerts where there's not much ambient light, indoors when you're trying to capture movement such as dancers on stage and for subjects such as sports photography where fast shutter speeds are essential.

 

Nikon 50mm f/1.4D lens, Different apertures: f/1.4, f/4, f/16. More on exposure and camera settings here.

 

You Can Work Hand-Held

Another advantage to fast lenses is that you won't always be forced to use a tripod as the faster shutter speeds allow for hand-held shooting in more situations. This is something that's particularly useful in places where tripods aren't allowed such as in cathedrals or in busy locations where light can be an issue such as in a museum.
 

The Negatives

A downside to fast lenses is that they can be expensive and they tend to be heavier and bigger than other lenses. Care needs to be paid to focus when using autofocus as you may find it tries to focus on the wrong part of the shot, leaving focus on an area of the image that wasn't your intended subject. It's also worth investing in a good quality lens so images don't appear soft when viewed on-screen.

 

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Tamron has announced the upcoming release of its 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) lens for Canon RF and Nikon Z APS-C mirrorless camera systems. The suggested retail price is $629.

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Photography once demanded patience, skill, and genuine artistic vision, but social media platforms have systematically dismantled these foundations in favor of instant gratification and algorithmic manipulation. What was once a revered art form requiring years of technical mastery and creative development has too often been reduced to a quick-hit dopamine delivery system where engagement metrics matter more than artistic merit.

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Sony's lens lineup has a notable gap when it comes to fast 35mm options, leaving many photographers searching for third-party alternatives. The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE lens aims to fill that void with professional-grade features at a fraction of the cost you'd expect.

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Canon’s mid-tier 50mm fills a gap many have felt for years. If you’ve been debating between the pricey f/1.2 and the budget f/1.8, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM lens lands right in the middle with sharp optics, fast autofocus, and a size you won’t dread carrying all day.

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Choosing between the DJI Osmo 360 and Insta360 X5 isn't about finding a clear winner. Both cameras deliver solid performance, but your decision hinges on two critical factors that most people overlook.

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The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a huge arts festival that runs in August and even though you need tickets for many of the shows at the Fringe, you can visit the Royal Mile for free where you'll find plenty of street entertainers you can capture images of.

Due to the event's popularity and the variety of things on offer to photograph, you will see all sorts of photographic approaches so there's not really hard-and-fast rules to follow more like guidelines that'll help you capture the best of what the Fringe has to offer. Also, although taking photos is fun do remember that you're actually there to enjoy yourself so do take your eye away from the viewfinder occasionally and just enjoy the atmosphere.

 

Photo by Cattyal

 

1. Lens Choices 

A standard zoom is perfect for the sort of distances you'll be taking photos from. If you own a telezoom do take it, however, someone will more than likely get in the way if you're using a longer lens so use it for tightly-cropped shots rather than trying to get a shot from a distance. Wides can work but make the point of getting in close to fill the frame and accept that you are going to get fussy backgrounds.

 

2. Know Where You Are Going

Pick up a guide as it lists times as well as locations of where things are happening, plus if it's your first time visiting, there's usually a handy map included to help you find your way. The best location is on the Royal Mile where you get street performers and artists promoting their shows with mini-performances.

 

3. Be Patient 

It does get bustling with visitors and performers coming and going all day but hang around for long enough and you will find something to aim your lens at.

 

4. Take Care 

Due to how busy the Royal Mile gets remember to take care of your possessions and don't leave anything unattended. It can also get hot at this time of year, so remember to keep hydrated and you'll probably encounter a sudden downpour, too so keep a brolly handy.

 

Photo by  Cattyal

 

5. Payment For Performance 

Some performers would like a payment for posing and it is up to you if you want to make a contribution. Some of the shows are excellent and you might feel that a sample of enjoyable street theatre is worth some small change.

 

6. Be Polite 

As they're performing in public, on the street they tend to not mind you photographing them. However, if the opportunity arrives, it is always polite to ask them if it's OK to take a few shots. 

 

7. Capture Close-Ups 

As they're passionate about their performance you'll have plenty of interesting expressions and movements to photograph so get in close if the opportunity unfolds.

 

8. Crowd Or No Crowd? 

If there's a big crowd or the street they're on is particularly cluttered hide it by cropping in close to the performer. However, if the crowd's having a particularly good time, having them in the shot can work well in an image with the performer. Alternatively, just capture an image of the spectators watching the show. 

 

Photo by David Pritchard

9. Speed & Position 

Shoot quickly, watch the background and move around to explore different camera angles.

 

10. Different Perspective 

Performance shots are great but don't overlook capturing shots of performers scooping up change from guitar cases or moving position to set-up for the next part of their act.

 

11. Continuous Shooting & Focus 

Switch to continuous shooting but don't be tempted to constantly machine-gun away. Instead, take the time to watch for the key moments that are worth capturing. Continuous focusing will help you maintain focus on the street performers.

 

12. Shutter Priority 

Consider using Shutter Priority so you can decide how much you freeze / add motion blur to action shots. To add crowd movement to your shot you'll need a slower shutter speed and a support. Tripods take up too much space so use a monopod or even your camera bag as a support. Use a small aperture and low ISO to get the slower speeds you need. You may need to experiment to find the exact shutter speed that works but the beauty of digital means you can check the screen, adjust and take another shot.

 

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That bargain client who seemed like easy money might be the most expensive mistake you'll ever make. While premium clients pay well and respect your time, cheap clients create a cascade of hidden costs that can destroy your photography business faster than a dropped camera.

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