Superior camera protection for travelers		Pelican 1535 Air Carry-On Case		SEE IT
A truly point-and-shoot film camera		Kodak Ektar H35 film camera		SEE IT
A camera sling bag with lots of storage		HEX Ranger DSLR Camera Sling XL Travel Bag		SEE IT

The 2022 holiday season is upon us, and it’s time once again to find gifts for photographers in your life. Here at Popular Photography, we love gift-giving, but even more, we love providing gift ideas for photographers.

What follows are 14 of our favorite photography gift ideas, from new releases to time-tested favorites, chosen by the nerdiest of photo nerds (uh, that’s us). They range in price from less than $10 to just over $1,000. Of course, not all photographers like or want the same stuff. But rest assured, we’ve got something for everyone. So whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer or a jaw-dropper, we’ve got you more than covered. 

• A fun instant film camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 7+
• Best under $50: Neewar 43-inch 5-in-1 Reflector
• A light for aspiring creatives: Neewer 10-inch LED Ring Light Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand 
• Photography classes on-demand: Moment video courses
• Superior camera protection for travelers: Pelican 1535 Air Carry-On Case
• A truly point-and-shoot film camera: Kodak Ektar H35 film camera
• A lightweight tripod for every kind of photography: 3 Legged Thing Punks Travis tripod with removable monopod
• A camera sling bag with lots of storage: HEX Ranger DSLR Camera Sling XL Travel Bag
• Portable SSD speed with rugged build quality: SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD 
• Best under $100: Peak Design Capture Camera Clip
• A graphics tablet for intense retouching: Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet
• Best for beginners: LensPen Lens Cleaner
• Simple storage for tons of images: WD 12TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive
• The best drone for aerial photography enthusiasts: DJI Mini SE drone

A fun instant film camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 7+

SEE IT

An instant film camera might be the perfect gift for photographers at literally any level. Beginners appreciate a camera like the Mini 7+ for its super-simple operation. Pop in the film, frame up a shot, push the button, and it spits out an adorable little 2.1 x 3.4-inch print. But, despite its ease of use, the powerful flash and high-quality Fujinon lens produce high-quality images that will satisfy veteran photographers. Plus, it’s a nice way to remind die-hard photographers that taking pictures should be fun (at least sometimes).

Best under $50: Neewar 43-inch 5-in-1 Reflector

SEE IT

Lighting conditions don’t always cooperate with what we want. Or we may want something more dramatic, such as a backlit portrait with more light on the subject but don’t want to deal with flash. That’s where reflectors come in. Reflectors are a surprisingly powerful tool for photographers to have in their kit and can have drastic results. As the name implies, they can be used to reflect light into the desired area. Or, some reflectors, such as this one, will come with additional colors, including black, which can reduce light, or a white translucent option, which softens light from a specific light source. It also comes with gold and silver for changing the temperature of the light that you reflect back in, a fun tool for unique portraits. This Neewar reflector is large enough to make an impact but small enough that you won’t have to be a professional wrestler to collapse it back down.

A light for aspiring creatives: Neewer 10-inch LED Ring Light Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand 

SEE IT

Ring lights are like a gateway drug into real lighting. This 10-inch ring light provides even illumination from every direction. That creates a simple and generally flattering light that works for up-close portraits or typical talking head vlogs. This very affordable kit comes with a tripod, phone mount, and everything else an aspiring creator needs to get going. Even if they upgrade later, this can come in handy as an accent light to compliment a more advanced key light.

Photography classes on-demand: Moment video courses

SEE IT

Few gifts can actually make someone a better photographer, but Moment offers a wide selection of on-demand video tutorials that cover a huge variety of skills. The company offers courses in photography, videography, and even film photography if someone is trying to get into analog. They’re easy to follow and very well-produced. And your giftee can watch them over and over until they’ve mastered whatever technique they’re teaching. Bonus points for you if you act as a subject to let them practice their new photo skill.

Superior camera protection for travelers: Pelican 1535 Air Carry-On Case

SEE IT

Even enthusiast-level cameras cost a pretty penny, which is why it makes sense to invest in a solid case to protect them. This sturdy case comes in five different colors. And it fits in a typical airplane overhead compartment, so you can keep your pricy gear with you during travel instead of rolling the dice by checking a bag. It’s made of Pelican’s HPX polymer, which makes it crush-proof and waterproof while reducing weight up to 40 percent compared to comparable models. Pelican offers standard foam, padded dividers, or its more advanced modular padding system inside to keep gear safe and snug no matter how bumpy the ride gets.

A truly point-and-shoot film camera: Kodak Ektar H35 film camera

SEE IT

Film photography is undeniably fun, especially when you don’t have to take it too seriously. Kodak’s $50 half-frame camera captures images that are half the size of a normal 35mm image. That means a 36-exposure roll will actually get you 72 individual photos. You can treat each image like its own photo or create cool multi-image compositions that you can present in series. The focus-free lens and lack of advanced exposure controls allow photographers to literally point and shoot to create cool, lo-fi images with a unique analog aesthetic. It is a fun gift for photographers who need a little spark of creativity and fun.

A lightweight tripod for every kind of photography: 3 Legged Thing Punks Travis tripod with removable monopod

SEE IT

Beginners tend to underestimate just how valuable a tripod can be for various types of photography. A sturdy set of sticks can provide a nice consistent background for a set of formal portraits. Or it ensures that those epic landscapes are as level and sharp as they deserve to be. This relatively compact tripod extends to 5.4 feet tall and can hold just under 40 pounds of gear. Despite its size and strength, it folds down small enough to easily carry on a bag and weighs just over three pounds. It also comes with an adjustable head, so it’s ready to start shooting right out of the box.

A camera sling bag with lots of storage: HEX Ranger DSLR Camera Sling XL Travel Bag

SEE IT

I’m a big fan of the Hex Ranger sling bag, and the XL version adds even more room to carry camera gear (as well as other important things like snacks). The ranger Sling XL has enough room inside to fit several camera bodies along with extra lenses. I find that it handles one body and three lenses rather nicely. Its cross-body strap makes it more appealing than a typical backpack despite having roughly the same capacity. Plus, it comes in five different colors, including several shades of cool urban camo.

Portable SSD speed with rugged build quality: SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD 

SEE IT

You can never have too much storage. This tiny drive is waterproof, weatherproof, and crush-proof, so it’s easy to throw in a bag and forget about until you need it. It connects with a simple USB-C cable and transfers data at up to 1,050MB/s. The rubberized outer coating makes it easy to hold onto. And it ensures that it won’t slide off of an airplane tray table and get itself hopelessly lost under the seat in front of you, which happened to me with one of my portable SSDs a few years ago.

Best under $100: Peak Design Capture Camera Clip

SEE IT

While camera straps are certainly a convenient way to carry around a camera, sometimes the strap gets in the way. They also usually aren’t very comfortable to carry around if you are walking a lot, such as on hikes or long days of travel. And having your camera stashed in your camera bag may mean you can’t get it out in time to get the shot or just don’t want to fuss with it, resulting in missed opportunities. The Peak Design camera clip is a great solution. It makes a great gift for photographers who like to hike or keep a camera handy. The clip connects to the strap of your backpack, and with the base plate on your camera, you can hang the camera right by your shoulder. It makes access to your camera quick and easy for when inspiration strikes but puts less strain on your neck and shoulders. 

A graphics tablet for intense retouching: Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet

SEE IT

A tablet can provide a simple, easy way to upgrade your precision when working on intense retouching work. This tablet doesn’t have a display, it’s simply an input device that works like an external touchpad. It connects to a computer via USB and comes with Wacom’s advanced stylus that recognizes more than 2,000 levels of pressure. It works with all the common software photographers typically rely on, like Photoshop. And it’s even solid for illustrating if your giftee wants to dabble in some other creative pursuits.

Best for beginners: LensPen Lens Cleaner

SEE IT

As basic and simple as it is, cleaning supplies can easily be overlooked when someone is just getting started with photography. And yet, they are essential parts of any photographer’s kit, which is why they make such great gifts for photographers. When you’re in the field, a quick wipe can get the superficial grime off your glass. Every once in a while, however, your lenses deserve a more thorough cleaning. One side of the LensPen has a brush for quickly dislodging dust or other loosely attached grit. The other end lens works similarly to a marker. A cleaning compound inside the body makes its way out through the tip that’s meant to rub across the surface of the lens. The combination of cleaning solution and wiping from the tip help dislodge tough particles instead of scraping them across the delicate coatings. It also gets rid of oil from accidental finger touches or other environmental factors. Even if you can’t afford to buy your person a new lens, you can make their current lenses look like they’re new.

Simple storage for tons of images: WD 12TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive

SEE IT

Pro photographers typically employ complex, multi-drive backup systems to ensure maximum redundancy for their files. For beginner and mid-level shooters, however, a big, dumb hard drive does a great job storing all those images. With 12TB storage, it will hold literally millions of images (depending on the size of your files). I keep one of the 20TB versions on my desk and have a Backblaze backup running on it just as an emergency backup in case everything goes wrong.

The best drone for aerial photography enthusiasts: DJI Mini SE drone

SEE IT

Whether they know it or not, every pilot flying a drone in the US is supposed to register their craft with the FAA. That is, of course, unless the flying machine weighs less than 250 grams. DJI’s Mini SE comes in at a convenient 249 grams. That means whoever you give it to can take it from the box, to the charger, to the sky with no red tape to sort out. Despite the drone’s tiny size, it’s still very capable from a camera standpoint. Its 2.7K camera relies on a 3-axis gimbal to shoot super-steady, high-res footage you can preview from your smartphone on the ground. With a maximum flight time of 30 minutes, it’s a great tool for occasional aerial photographers or those trying to hone their piloting skills before working up to a more advanced craft.

The post The best gifts for photographers of every skill level appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Boston, Massachusetts-based CatLABS has a brand-new B&W film stock available in both 35mm and 120 formats. A fine grain, ISO 320 film with wide tonal range, CatLABS X FILM 320 is available right now for $6.99 a roll.

This is great news for analog shooters as film has been in short supply these days, thanks in part to its growing popularity but also due to lingering industry hiccups related to COVID-19. As such, we welcome any new stock to the game with open arms. Here’s what CatLABS X FILM 320 is all about.

About CatLABS X FILM 320

Related: CineStill 400Dynamic is a daylight-balanced ISO 400 color film

First and foremost, this is not a repackaged film stock but a truly new emulsion. CatLABS says its ISO 320 stock offers plenty of exposure latitude and should be especially well-suited to street photography. Grey tones have an “almost metallic” look, which gives this it a truly unique vibe. And it should handle itself well, even in low light.

Speaking of low light, according to CatLABS, you can push and pull it with no problem. They suggest keeping it within ISO 200 and ISO 1600 but we are curious to see what it looks like pushed even higher.

35mm rolls come with 36 exposure, and the stock can be processed in a wide range of B&W developers including D-76 and DDX. You can see a complete list, with development times here. Note, this is not a DX-coded film.

This ISO 320 B&W film should prove versatile for a wide range of shooting conditions.

Price & availability

Grab some CatLABS X FILM 320 from the company directly. Individual rolls of either format are priced at $6.99. Ten packs will set you back a reasonable $65.

The post This new B&W film stock produces unique metallic/silver grey tones appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

NASA successfully slammed a satellite into an asteroid yesterday, in a first-of-its-kind test of our planetary defense capabilities. Like something out of a blockbuster movie, the objective of the interstellar collision was to see if we can alter the trajectory of an approaching comet with a human-made object.

We won’t know if the experiment accomplished its goal for another two months or more. But the collision portion of the test was a resounding success. And best of all, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft sent back some really cool asteroid collision images, along with a video of its final moments.

What is the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)?

Related: A stormy, iridescent Jupiter shines bright in Webb’s latest images

NASA’s DART project is seven years and $325 million in the making. If that price sounds high, consider the fact that information gleaned from the experiment could one day save our planet from total or partial destruction.

The DART spacecraft, which was about the size of a four-door sedan, launched into space 10 months ago. Its ultimate target, an egg-shaped Asteroid named Dimorphos, is about 525-foot-wide. The goal was not to destroy Dimorphos—you’d need a much bigger spacecraft for that—but rather to nudge it enough to adjust its orbit around another, larger asteroid, Didymos (the two are considered “twin” asteroids).

“This really is about asteroid deflection, not disruption. This isn’t going to blow up the asteroid,” says Nancy Chabot, DART coordination lead at the Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory. It’ll be a little while before we know whether or not the kinetic impact altered the asteroid’s trajectory. But if it did, it’ll be a huge accomplishment for science and humanity. And even if it didn’t, just making contact is a huge achievement in itself.

“DART’s success provides a significant addition to the essential toolbox we must have to protect Earth from a devastating impact by an asteroid. This demonstrates we are no longer powerless to prevent this type of natural disaster,” said Lindley Johnson, NASA’s planetary defense officer.

Asteroid collision images

The DART spacecraft made contact with Dimorphos at around 7:16 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, September 26. And thanks to the craft’s onboard “DRACO imager” camera—operated by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland—we got a front-row seat to that exact moment, which was also live-streamed to the public. See the video below.

Initially, the DART spacecraft targeted the larger, more visible Didymos asteroid, before switching to its smaller twin during the mission’s final hour. NASA lost command of the spacecraft in the final minutes before impact, which occurred at a leisurely speed of 14,000 miles per hour.

The final four images show the spacecraft passing by Didymos with Dimorphos growing larger and larger in the frame until we see only its surface. And then, KABOOM, the last frame is almost completely red due to the transmission cutting. According to NASA, that image was taken just four miles from the surface of the asteroid and one second before impact.

What’s next for DART?

It’s worth mentioning that Dimorphos and Didymos are more than 7 million miles from Earth and pose no threat. However, there are plenty of unknown objects yet to be identified by scientists, and at least some of these could potentially make contact with our planet. This is why the DART experiment doesn’t end with this initial impact.

Another smaller spacecraft was hanging around nearby to observe the collision. And countless land-based telescopes also witnessed it. While it may take a few weeks before we get additional views from space, videos from the ground are already circulating, like this one captured by the ATLAS asteroid tracking telescope.

Additionally, the European Space Agency plans to send up its hera spacecraft in the next few years to further investigate the aftermath of the test. For now, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that everything went according to plan as we eagerly anticipate more asteroid collision images.

The post Final images from NASA’s asteroid smashing satellite appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

It’s been a busy year for Venus Optics. With new releases numbering in the double digits, ranging from compact ultra-wides to shift lenses, the Anhui, China-based brand is building a reputation for its well-priced, specialized glass. And this latest release, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO “CA-Dreamer” looks to be a solid addition to the brand’s catalog.

Who’s the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x macro for?

Related: Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is the world’s smallest 2x macro for full-frame

Available for Canon RF, Leica/Panasonic/Sigma L, Nikon Z, and Sony E-mount, the new Laowa 58mm f/2.8 macro is priced at $499. An all-manual, full-frame lens, it should appeal to mirrorless camera owners hoping for extreme magnification in their macro photography. More specifically, this is for macro shooters who want to include some sense of a scene or background in their close-up shots.

If 58mm is too wide for your macro uses, consider the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x macro. It’s the same price. Crop sensors mirrorless shooters, on the other hand, will experience an 87mm equivalent field of view with the Laowa 58mm, which is much closer to a “standard” macro focal length.

Again, there are no electronic contacts to speak of and certainly no image stabilization. For those reasons, it’s likely best used on a tripod or with an image-stabilized body. Ultimately, if you’re cool sacrificing autofocus capability in the name of savings and portability, and you’re looking for a wide-ish 2x macro, this may be your jam.

Optics & construction

The Laowa 58mm macro has an optical construction consisting of 14 elements arranged in 11 groups, including three ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, and three Ultra-High Refractive Index elements. And the lens’ apochromatic (APO) design should neutralize chromatic aberrations across the frame, a major plus for macro shooters.

The Laowa sports a 13-blade diaphragm with a range of f/2.8 to f/22. And judging from the sample photos, see below, it should be capable of producing stunning out-of-focus renditions.

The Laowa 58mm is just 2.9 inches in diameter and four inches long. But with a weight of 21 ounces, it’s certainly not spry chicken. Focusing is internal, so the dimensions of the lens don’t change as you adjust it. Up front is a 67mm filter thread.

Venus Optics makes no mention of weather-sealing, though the lens mount and housing are both metal (and initial reviews suggest a solid build quality overall). The barrel offers a large-sized manual focus ring at the front and an aperture ring with a hyperfocal scale at the rear.

Price & availability

The new Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO CA-Dreamer can be purchased right now for $499. It ships with a reversible, plastic, petal-style lens hood.

Sample photos

The following sample photos were provided by Venus Optics.

The post Get larger than life with Laowa’s new 58mm 2x macro for mirrorless appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

There’s nothing quite like bonding with a member of another species. Inviting creatures, large or small, into your home to love and care for is one of the great joys of life. And though it may not be easy, it’s surely worth the effort. After all, (most) animal pals give us unequivocal love, comfort us without judgment, and make us smile when we’re blue. So, for this challenge, we want to see your best pet portraits.

This week’s theme

This week’s theme is all about non-human friends, everything from ants to alligators, owls to aardvarks. If they’re your animal homie, that’s good enough for us! All forms of photography are welcome too. Want to make a cyanotype of your dog’s paw? Go right ahead! Or a large format print of your esteemed horse Jimacko? Right on. How about a collage of your lobster Florence, snapped with a Game Boy Camera? Uh, sure! We can’t wait to see what you’ve got.

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or our Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules.

And please limit your entries to no more than three per platform.

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Scales, feathers, or fuzz: Show us your best pet portraits appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

What’s better than funny pet photos? How about an entire photo contest dedicated to our comical companions? Well, the Comedy Pet Photography Awards are back with a fresh set of winners for 2022. And the photos do not disappoint. From sassy alpaca to spastic pups, this gallery has no shortage of personalities.

About the Comedy Pet Photography Awards

The Comedy Pet Photography Awards are a UK-based competition, open to all. Founded in 2020, the competition’s mission is to, “promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and celebrate the incredible and valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives.” And each year, they donate a sizable chunk of cash to one or more pet rescue charities.

Related: A selection of the year’s best nature photos

The overall winner of this year’s competition, Kenichi Morinaga, took home a £2000 (USD $2172) cash prize. In addition, he gets the honor of deciding which animal welfare organization the competition will make a £5,000 (USD $5424) contribution to. And, apparently after much thought, he chose the UK-based Cat Welfare Group.

Category winners, meanwhile get a Comedy Pet Photography Awards goody bag and bragging rights. Now, on to the photos!

Overall winner & Cat category winner

The Cat category and overall winning image definitely has a cartoon vibe. It’s as if these two were chasing one another, Tom and Jerry style, only to collide, head-on, leading to two exaggeratedly compacted bodies. I fully expect an accordion to play in the moments after this collision.

Horse category winner

Radim Filipek took home the top prize in the “Mighty Horse” category. And gosh darn are those some jovial equine. Mamma, on the right, seems to be really laughing it up and having a good time, (though a Crest Whitening strip couldn’t hurt). And, crikey, Monty is a big boy for just three days old!

Other Creatures category winner

Personally, this is my favorite image of the bunch. That expression, the single tooth showing, and the long stogey-looking stick dangling from the mouth all give this alpaca a most humanlike quality. In fact, I’m pretty sure I encountered this guy playing blackjack at an off-the-boardwalk casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Junior category winner

Cats are curious creatures and occasionally, their instincts get the best of them. That appears to be the case for Jack the Cat here. Poor fella is stuck at the top of the hedge! Hopefully, his rescue didn’t require a visit from the fire department. Either way, Freya Sharpe took home the top prize in the 16 and under category for this one. And it sounds like Jack is made it down safe and sound.

Pets who look like their owners

The more I look at this image, the more I see the resemblance. They say couples who grow old together start to look like one another. Perhaps the same is true of pets?

People’s Choice

The people have spoken and their favorite image is this fantastic snap of one goofy, happy, recently-rescued pup. Between his story and that face, how could Carter not bring a smile to yours?

Comedy Pet Team Favorites

Finally, the folks who run the contest picked a favorite and they chose well. While the image title suggests that this proper pup is a chauffeur, I see them more as the cool guy, rolling up in a fly red whip, ready to steal yo’ girl or guy. Pup just needs some Tom Cruise-approved aviators.

Submit your own funny pet photos

Got some funny pet photos of your own? Details for next year’s contest have yet to be announced but keep an eye on the contest website for updates.

The post Laugh it up fuzzball – the year’s funniest pet photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

The Leica Q2 is one of the brand’s best-selling cameras. It’s easy to see why, with its fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens, rugged design, and full-frame image quality, it’s a great companion to take anywhere. Since its launch in 2019, there have been a number of limited edition variations, most recently the Leica Q2 “007” model and the Leica Q2 Monochrom “Reporter” edition (which I personally love). Now the Wetzlar brand is back with another fresh variant; we present to you, the Leica Q2 “Dawn” by Seal.

Related: Leica just had its best financial year ever. Wait, what?

Kissed by a Rose & bitten by the shutterbug

Seal, the British singer best known for his soulful, 90s smash hit, Kissed by a Rose, is apparently a big fan of photography. Meanwhile, the folks at Leica haven’t been shy about their passion for rock and roll. The brand has previously teamed up with Lenny Kravitz on several models, and even put out a model honoring the late music photographer, Jim Marshall. Which is to say, this mashup feels natural.

Leica Q2 ‘Dawn’ by Seal: camera details

So what makes the Seal camera special? The body itself is wrapped in a cool-looking “iridescent” woven fabric, sourced from the traditional Japanese brand, Hosoo. Leica says the fabric is a “milestone in the art of weaving, with an innovative process using black thread (93% polyester) and gold-colored Japanese paper (7% washi).” No word on how it feels in hand but each model appears to have a completely unique design.

The only other details that set the Q2 Seal edition apart from the standard model are the artist’s signature and the edition number, both engraved on the back, beneath the glass of the LCD. Other than that, this camera is just like any other Q2.

Leica Q2 ‘Dawn’ by Seal: other accessories

But wait, there’s more! In addition to the camera itself, the Q2 Seal edition comes with a rather nice-looking, limited-edition black rope strap with leather accents. Details on the strap include the hand-written lyrics, “You became the light on the dark side of me,” from the aforementioned smash hit. The Leica logo is also embossed onto the leather. No word on whether Seal himself handwrote the lyrics 500 times over. We’re guessing, no.

The package also includes a scarf designed by the multimedia artist Annina Roescheisen and manufactured by NYC fashion brand, Rag & Bone. It’s not my cup of tea, but hey, to each their own.

Price & availability

While some Leica limited edition releases come with dizzying price tags—I’m looking at you, Leica Q2 007 edition—the Dawn by Seal edition is only $200 more than the standard model. And considering it comes with a lovely rope strap and designer scarf, that’s not too bad!

Priced at $5,995.00, only 500 Leica Q2 Seal models will be made and sold. Presently, the camera is out of stock on the Leica website, but you can signup to be notified upon its return. We seriously doubt all 500 are already accounted for.

The post The latest limited-edition Leica Q2 comes wrapped in ‘iridescent’ black & gold fabric appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

For this week’s reader challenge, we asked you to submit photos of the inanimate. And as always, you delivered. While some folks settled on more unusual subjects to photograph, the vast majority of you stuck with classic still life hallmarks, including floral arrangments, skulls, glassware, and more. The winning images range from dramatic to lighthearted to just plain spooky.

Want to be featured in a future gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram and Twitter, or join/upload them to our Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by David Terao. See more of David’s work here.

Channeling the Dutch masters

Skulls are a staple of the still life genre and Instagram user Skzikit brilliantly channels the work of Dutch Golden Age painters like Pieter Claesz with this shot. Plus, with Halloween nearly upon us, the spooky factor feels especially fitting.

Eggs? Eggs.

Sometimes the simplest subjects make for the most enjoyable images. And Susan Liepa‘s image of eggs is a good example. Something about it makes me smile, maybe it’s the delicate way they’re stacked, the gentle tones, or the soft focus. Or maybe I’m just hungry for a hardboiled… nope, definitely the former.

Swirls of shadows & highlights

This is a particularly gorgeous image of a subject most simple—the humble glass—captured masterfully by José Luis Funes. The swirling highlights and shadows play nicely off the plain, slightly textured grey backdrop. And the framing gives ample breathing room around the subject.

But perhaps most importantly, it appears no beverages were spilled during the making of this shot.

Standing straight

This still life, captured by Robert Serbinenko also put a smile on my face. Though the subject is once again quite ordinary, the results are both humorous and eye-catching. I feel like I’m looking at some tiny soldiers standing straight in a line against a setting sun, or maybe an unreleased Pink Floyd album cover. Or maybe both.

Horizontal arrangement with lilies & flax

This classic still life scene was captured by Judith Hamblyn using her Samsung S10 smartphone. The arrangement looks professionally styled, i.e. gorgeous. And I love the way the floral colors pop against the dark green backdrop.

’69 GTO

Finally, we have this awesome barn scene, featuring a 1969 Pontiac GTO, snapped in Southern Alberta, Canada by Gordon Hunter. While old cars, busted bikes, and rotting dolls may not be the first thing you think of when you think “still life,” the scene surely works! I can only imagine what other treasures are hiding in there.

The post Freeze! The week’s best reader-submitted still life photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

The official Canon-certified shutter rating of 2008’s 5D Mark II is a respectable 150,000 shots. In reality, though, this number is almost certainly on the conservative side. Cameras often surpass their listed shutter life, sometimes by tens or even hundreds of thousands of frames. But to blow past the quoted shutter life by a multitude of nearly 15? That’s just incredible.

Related: Camera Test: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

The two-million-click camera

Incredible as it may be, it’s also true. The camera in question was picked up by Youtuber FoxTailWhipz from the used gear retailer, MPB. Don’t worry, FoxTailWhipz was fully aware going in of the camera’s well-used past.

He received it with exactly 2,269,757 shutter acutations. And some quick math suggests that if the camera had been purchased 14 years ago (right at its launch) and used continuously, it would’ve been fired 162,125 times per year, which translates to 482 snaps per day—that’s a lot of spraying and praying! So who owned the camera and what were they shooting?

Theories on its longevity

Some theories suggest the camera was used by a sports or perhaps wildlife photographer, i.e. someone shooting a lot of bursts. But that theory has one flaw: though the body shows scuffs and signs of use, it’s not that beat up. And more importantly, everything works as it should—presumably, a camera used in the field for a decade or more would have far more obvious battle scars.

This has led others to speculate that it may have been used in some sort of industrial process, or perhaps in a studio setting where it was controlled via a computer.

The wrap

Whatever the camera’s past, FoxTailWhipz is pleased to report that his pre-loved Canon 5D II is still going strong, firing single shots and bursts, just like new. Just how long will it go? Nobody knows, but it could well be a contender for the world’s longest latest shutter (if there was such an award for such a thing).

Do you have a camera with more shutter actuations? Or, more importantly, did you previously own the two-million-click camera? Give us a shout, info@popphoto.com.

The post This Canon 5D Mark II has 2.2+ million shutter clicks appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

It pays to be bold, in photography and in life. That’s how one lucky music fan ended up with an entire roll of behind-the-scene shots of his favorite band, a young, up-and-coming Depeche Mode. And it all started with a gently tossed roll of film and a note. Here’s how it went down.

Related: 45 portraits of iconic rockstars ‘flipping the bird’ now up for auction

No cameras allowed

The year is 1983 and the relatively new British electronic band, Depeche Mode, is set to play Ulster Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Brian McDonnell, a huge fan of the band and a young photography enthusiast, is stoked. Unfortunately, the venue has a strict “No cameras” policy. So, instead of sneaking one in, Brian comes up with the innovative plan to throw a roll of film on the stage with a polite message requesting snaps. He also includes his return address.

At the time, Brian has no expectation of Depeche Mode following through. But, much to his surprise, they did just that.

The resulting images, shared for the first time earlier this month, show a legendary band on the cusp of greatness. And the candid and behind-the-scenes nature of the moments, many snapped in the band’s green room, makes the photos all the more special.

Why we’re seeing the Depeche Mode film photos now

Sadly, Brian McDonnell passed away 20 years ago at the age of 37. And, up until recently, these images had only been seen by a small handful of folks. That all changed when they were rediscovered by Brian’s sister, Anne McDonnell Lawrence, who shared them with the Facebook Group, Belfast Concert Photographs 1980s.

Anne found the shots stashed in an envelope while looking through photographs of their late mother. Shortly after she posted them online, a Twitter account belonging to the music venue Belfast Empire shared them with its 14.2K followers. The story was subsequently picked up by the BBC, which reached out to Anne for comment. Incredibly, she recalls the night of the Depeche Mode show well.

“I remember him telling me he was at the concert and he had brought a film for a camera with him—he wrapped his name and address around it and asked them to take photos and send them back to him. He never thought he would even get a response. I don’t know how long after, but he got the film sent back to him.”

She also recalls how devoted her brother was to the band and how much it meant to him when he received the photos back.

The wrap

So what’s the takeaway? Certainly not to pelt the next band you see with celluloid (or memory cards), especially given the price of a roll these days. Nope, instead, the takeaway is to think outside the box and be bold. Do that, and maybe, just maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised. That said, the next time you are told “No cameras allowed,” I challenge you to come up with a creative workaround (that doesn’t break the rules).

The post Depeche Mode fan throws a roll of film on stage, band mails it back full of photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.