Search results for: photography history history lighting photography
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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
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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
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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
by Jill Waterman · Posted
As the B&H Photography Podcast wraps up its first decade of educating and inspiring the photo community, we’re honored to present you with our top five episodes from 2025. Featuring a diverse spectrum of voices and visions that define contemporary image-making, these conversations are at the cutting edge of photographic discourse.
From Mary Virginia Swanson & Rick Smolan’s comprehensive discussion about photo book publishing to Matt Payne & Sean Tucker’s introspective search for deeper meaning beyond the frame, our guest pairings
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Family portraits are a great way to capture a moment in your family’s history. You may find yourself wanting to capture family photos every few years or so, more often when the little ones are, well, little. Maybe you’re looking for a way to take matters into your own hands, or maybe you’ve been taking your own family photos for years and have found yourself being asked to take photos of friends, family members, or even paying clients.
Family portraits can be a lot of fun to shoot. Maybe you’ve been taking photos of your kids and want to
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Despite film being “dead,” there’s still a surprising number of different and unique films to choose from in 2025, ranging from the classics from the major manufacturers to some more 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, with all of the history—the ups and downs—Kodak
by Luke Rollins · Posted
“Compact and lightweight form factor” wasn’t always just a mirrorless camera marketing slogan. A century ago, it was the necessity that gave birth to the Leica camera, as inventor Oskar Barnack designed his prototype in part to accommodate a debilitating lung ailment. Released in 1925, the popularity of the Leica I camera, particularly among young photographers, helped drive the widespread adoption of the 35mm film format and the compact, lightweight setups it afforded.
Available as an accessory to the Leica I was a slim, vertically oriented
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Following the release of its third generation Now and Now+ cameras, Polaroid is back to debut the Flip Instant Camera, its most sophisticated approach to point-and-shoot analog photography to date. Building upon the company's 80-year legacy of design and tech, the sleek, clamshell body boasts a hyperfocal four-lens system, sonar-powered autofocus, a "scene analysis" tool for correcting exposure, and the company's most
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The dynamic arena of competitive cycling photography is not for the faint of heart. This grueling specialty requires a mix of split-second reaction times, intuitive technical mastery, and the ability to anticipate—and even more important—embrace risk. It takes a special breed of photographer to continuously capture every ounce of emotion packed into this sport, from bruising injuries and bitter disappointments to the exaltation of a win.
Above photograph © Kristof Ramon
For today’s show, we’ve brought together two passionate cycling