Search results for: photography history history lighting photography
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Posted
Everyone knows that a cat has nine lives. But this famous proverb has a second part: “…For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays." It’s a fitting story arc for this week’s podcast with Dan Rimada and Gulce Kilkis of Bodega Cats of New York, whose local passion project has grown into something that stays: an archive, a photo book, and a push for legislation.
Above Photograph © Gulce Kilkis
Dan and Gulce’s chat with Derek tracks the Bodega Cats initiative from its start on Instagram through its growth into a
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
IN THIS ARTICLE
1. Outdoor Essentials2. Power Solutions3. Binoculars4. Bags and Backpacks
Exploring the outdoors is truly what life is all about, and odds are there's an outdoor enthusiast in your life. You'd think knowing their hobby is enough intel to aid you in finding the perfect gift but turns out that there's a lot of gear in the arsenal of the average outdoorsman. Fear not, for we have put together this carefully
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Viltrox's AF Pro series began in 2025 with the Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro FE, signaling the emerging third-party lens maker's entry into the professional prime lens.
Currently, the series has 85mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4 full-frame, autofocus options for both Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount full-frame cameras. The series is especially notable for being one of a shallow roster of third party 85mm lenses with fast maximum
by Luke Rollins · Posted
What is it about the 2000s look that is so compelling right now? One could chalk it up to the eternal recurrence of 20-year nostalgia cycles, of which the retro digicam revival would be yet another instance. But this kind of historicism elides the character of what is missed, and why its retrieval is attempted in the first place.
Smartphone bad; we know this. Rejecting the smartphone, however, does not immediately lead one to retro digicams. One could just as easily move toward the nostalgia of film as toward the competent excellence of today
by Luke Rollins · Posted
It’s 2026, and we no longer have to pretend that film is dead; film is very much alive, with a robust number of film stocks available to try out, ranging from the classics to new and creative films from up-and-coming, smaller brands.
Here’s an overview of the current black and white films available right now.
Kodak
It’s hard not to start with mother Kodak in an article like this, and with all the history—the ups and
by Luke Rollins · Posted
By now, the film resurgence has eclipsed its charming underdog status to become a full-blown front in what has become an all-out, open revolt against the smartphone and its visual aesthetics. What distinguishes the “film look” from the digital—texture, material imperfections, color magic, and the analog halo of yesteryear—comes at a price tag as resurgent as the medium itself.
Despite the contradiction (or perhaps because of it), the pursuit of the film look in a digital format has become something of a cottage industry, with manufacturers,
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Throughout the history of photography, few aspects have remained the same. Famous names have come and gone, but few have remained strong in their place as pillars of the industry. Among those names sits Olympus, better known today as OM Digital Solutions.
Founded in 1919 as Takachiho Seisakusho, the future Olympus aimed to domestically produce microscopes. It wasn’t until well into the 20s that the moniker “Olympus” came to be, and it wasn’t a camera that bared the name either—it was one of their microscopes. In fact, their first camera wouldn
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Building upon a long history of rangefinders, OM SYSTEM has introduced their latest iteration of the classic camera with the OM SYSTEM PEN. This portable, user-friendly camera combines the simple design of its predecessors with the accuracy and intelligence of newer mirrorless technology.
We had the opportunity to take the new PEN into the field to see how it performs, and how it stacks up in an ever
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Now that the smartphone is fully ensconced in its villain arc, the most enthusiastic anti-smartphone partisans have taken to unbundling the suite of functions Steve Jobs first consolidated: camera, phone, music player, notebook, paperback, watch, and day planner amongst others, but more importantly with each function getting its own discrete, purposed object in the everyday carry bag.
Vibes and aesthetics belong to them all on their own, but uncoupled they each demand a level of attention and consideration that their grouping suppresses. For
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Achieving a standard of production value is an essential component of establishing a brand and growing a following. For part-time, burgeoning, and mid-level creators, it can feel like bridging that gap is less a matter of learned skill and more about the equipment you can afford.
In most cases, the problem isn’t budget at all. Acquiring the specific know-how can give your content professional sheen with little to no financial outlay.
Lighting design is arguably the most immediately visible production component—and the one most capable of
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Whether you’re the designated photographer at a friend’s night out or a professional working an event, a compact, point-and-shoot camera can be a strategic choice for creating a distinctive look for your images. Depending on where you’re starting, the move to a compact camera can be either a step up from the smartphone or an embrace of a more limited feature set. In either case, the best event and party photography with a compact camera says one thing: you had to be there.
The number one advantage to using a compact camera is social. The
by Luke Rollins · Posted
After a 2025 spent celebrating its 100th birthday, Leica returns to market with its first new camera of 2026, the SL3-P Mirrorless Camera. Accompanied in its release by two new lenses, the APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8 and the
Posted
From photographing for the local news to expeditions for National Geographic, Ira Blocks shares his stories of traveling around the world. Ira captures history and culture, but it wasn't easy. He discusses how he was hired by Nat Geo, and all the logistics and planning that goes into his assignments.
0:00 - Intro
2:46 - Working for Nat Geo
6:00 - Ira's first assignment
14:18 - How Ira got started
17:30 - Photographing in color film
21:49 - Olive Oil story
31:29 - Getting into lighting
38:05 - Archaeology work
1:11:29 - Prints on location
Posted
Sports photography hinges on freezing peak action—transforming a high-speed blur into a dramatic portrayal of human effort. When you combine that with the unyielding drive of elite athletes on the world stage, the pressure to nail the shot provides an incredible adrenaline rush.
Above photograph © Jean Fruth
In today’s podcast, we discuss the unique challenges of documenting history in the making, and unpacking stories from the Winter Games with renowned sports photographer Jean Fruth, recently back from her first Olympics.
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Most photos consist of a balance between bright and dark tones, creating what we typically consider to be “proper exposure.” In proper exposure, there should be ample detail in all areas of the image, no matter how dark or how bright. At least, that’s what we should do when trying to capture a balanced exposure.
Balance, while important to most photographic situations, is not always best for a scene. There are