Street Photography: A Short Guide to the Ethics for New Photographers

If you’re unsure about ethics in street photography, we’ve got you covered.

Street photography is a polarizing craft. Peaking into the world of others – albeit in a public space – is rejected by many. Street photographers are often mistaken for aggressive, disrespectful, voyeuristic oddballs by those who are unable to accept the practice. But alongside this mentality, are people that don’t bat an eyelid when a photographer is hard at work. They’re intrigued by the process. But love it or hate it, street photography is fair game in most developed countries, and you don’t break laws by practicing it. But even if you’re in line with the legalities, there are ethics that you need to uphold. Not to be safe from the authorities, but for the good and longevity of the genre.

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An Honest Question: How Much Dynamic Range Do You Really Need?

Since Trey Ratcliff’s earliest days of HDR on Flickr, photographers continue to geek out about dynamic range.

A question I’ve been wondering for many years is just how much dynamic range photographers truly need. We can geek out about it all day and night, but how far does it go before we completely neglect good picture taking methods? Lots of the magic of landscape photography can happen in post unless you have custom profiles on your camera. Photographers who do this are indeed landscape photographers but rely mostly on their post-production to get those images. Image bracketing and blending is a nice tool for creating beautiful HDR images, but we can all agree that any camera these days has a good enough range for most shooting purposes. But from a single image, I truly do wonder how much dynamic range we need.

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Facebook Street Photography Groups Suck, and You’re the Reason Why

Online street photography groups seem a great place when getting started, but if you’re serious about the craft it makes more sense to leave them!

In theory, online street photography groups are an ideal way of connecting with other street photographers and learning more about the craft. It’s typical for newbie and hobbyist street photographers to want to connect with others about their craft. This has been going on since the earlier days of Flickr. Typically, these groups share their images, provide feedback, and receive validation for their work. The most common are Facebook street photography groups, and ease of access has made these groups more popular than meeting in person. But like a lot of good ideas, they have the potential to turn toxic, and oftentimes they do. If you’re a member of these online communities, here are five reasons why you should leave them right away.

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The Phoblographer’s Guide to Nikon Z Mount Lenses

Here you’ll find our real-world reviews for all Nikon Z mount lenses. 

Nikon’s Z mount cameras have been around for a little while now, and it has given Nikon some time to flesh out their lineup of Nikon Z mount Lenses. We have been working hard to bring you real-world reviews of all Nikon Z mount lenses when they hit the streets, and will continue to as more are released. In the coming weeks, months, and years there will be an explosion of Nikon Z mount lenses, and that is why we have decided to make a Z mount buyers guide. Here you’ll find all of our Nikon Z mount lens reviews in one place so that you can get the information you need in a hurry. Continue reading…

The Phoblographer’s Guide to Buying Fujifilm GF Lenses

Fujifilm’s Medium Format GFX system is going from strength to strength, and so are the GF lenses. 

If you’re fortunate enough to own any of the Medium Format cameras Fujifilm has released, you’ll know that you have also been blessed with genuinely fantastic lenses. Fujifilm GF lenses are some of the best we have used. All of the lenses offer excellent sharpness and excellent color rendition, and they exhibit outstanding build quality. If you’re not sure which of the Fujifilm GF lenses to buy, this guide is for you. Here you’ll find all of our real-world reviews on Fujifilm GF lenses. Continue reading…

Josep Fonti’s Clever Marketing Made Us Find His Film Double Exposures

All images by Josep Fonti. Used with permission.

We came across Josep Fonti’s work in a rather unorthodox fashion. To let you see behind the curtain (as they say), we often get sent work or find it through extensive research. But with Josep, we saw his photography on a laptop he had left open at a camera store in New York. Taking a quick look, we found ourselves saying, “This is some good work here.” We made contact, and Josep was thrilled to hear from us. This pleased us: we wanted to know more about his creative exposures. We needed to understand his relationship with New York and how it fueled his energy to create impactful photography. Let his marketing be a lesson to all photographers, because now we’re together and Josep is about to tell us about his thoughtful series, Numberless New York. Here we go!

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Only Idiots Think All Street Photographers Are Inherently Creepy

Street photography is inherently creepy? You’re wrong.

Last month The Phoblographer broke the news about a UK street photographer being beaten and bloodied while on the streets of London. The story went viral and was re-posted on many other online platforms. Amongst the thousands of comments a disgusting trend materialized. People began to suggest the street photographer deserved his beating, and street photographers bring it on themselves. “I hope this will dissuade some of the creeps and douchebags from doing street photography,” wrote one user on Reddit. Another wrote that street photography is inherently creepy. They’re wrong, of course. And if you think the same, so are you. Here’s why.

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Why Having Too Many Cameras Is a Good Thing

The abundance of cameras closes doors for the few and opens them for the many, especially the poor.

“They’re too expensive,” my mom would say when the discussion of getting a camera came up. It wasn’t her fault: she was a single mom with one child and we didn’t have much money. When I was a kid, cameras were not as cheap and accessible as they are today. Pursuit of the arts wasn’t a poor person’s game – this was even more so for someone who grew up in one of the poorest parts of the country. But I had a dream, and despite everything I could see around me, I was determined to make it come true.

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Cosplay Is Not Consent: A Reminder to the Photography Community

It’s that time of year again: New York Comic Con is upon us.

Along with New York Comic-Con comes the fandoms, the celebrity signings, and as we know all too well, the plethora of cosplay costumes. What could be more fun than dressing up as one of your favorite characters from a comic book, video game, or cult classic film with other avid appreciators who love them as much as you? Well, for women, it also brings a new window through which they are objectified, sexualized, and have our bodily autonomy infringed upon. And that isn’t nearly as much fun, let me tell you. Continue reading…

The Phoblographer’s Guide to Canon RF Mount Lenses

canon rf 50mm f1.2l

Here’s a gateway to all the reviews we have completed on Canon RF mount Lenses.

Canon has been hard at work the last few years when it comes to their new Mirrorless cameras and RF Mount Lenses. While the platform is only in its infancy, Canon has already produced some top-drawer lenses to mount on their R series cameras. Canon RF mount lenses have been receiving rave reviews for good reason. Their superb optics and excellent build quality mean these lenses are some of the best in the world of Mirrorless. We have been hard at work reviewing them and have created a buyers guide. This guide is an easy place to access our real-world reviews for anyone who needs information about all Canon RF Mount lenses. Continue reading…

Are Cheap Lenses Really Worth it for Photographers?

With 12 years of experience behind me as a photographer, I’m not quite sure that I can make the vouch for cheap lenses.

When you’re first starting out as a photographer, the appeal of cheap lenses is really high. I mean, how else are you going to take better pictures without actually learning how to do something with your camera or lighting? There are tons of cheap lenses out there on the market. Despite a dwindling photography market overall, it seems like cheap new lenses come out of nowhere pretty much every week. It’s wonderful that there is so much variety on the market because of the fact that competition simply makes us all better. But if I really had to think about it, no cheap lens has ever given me a whole lot of satisfaction.

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Under $800: Portrait Lenses Sharp Enough for a Pro Photographer

These often-overlooked portrait lenses offer some of the best image quality you can find for well under $1,000.

If you’re on the hunt for portrait lenses that offer seriously sharp optics and won’t break the bank, this roundup is for you. The five lenses we will share with you prove that you don’t have to spend an arm and leg to get some incredible glass. If you shoot with Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, or Sony cameras, we have found a lens that will serve you very well. Join us after the break to see which portrait lenses we recommend if your budget is under a grand. Continue reading…

The Most Popular Photography Gear Purchased in September

There have been some outstanding deals on Photography gear in September.

People have been taking advantage of the savings on top-notch photography gear in September. We’ve seen substantial price drops on great cameras, deep discounts on popular lenses, and some great deals on lighting gear too. In this round-up, we will take a quick look at the most popular photography gear that readers of The Phoblographer have purchased in September. Continue reading…

5 Super Stabilized Cameras with IBIS That Cost Under $2,000

Cameras with IBIS (in-body image stabilization) can make a photographer’s life so much easier.

Cameras with IBIS have been around for a while, but it’s only in the last three years that the technology has become more prevalent. Sony made IBIS popular when they started using it in their Mirrorless cameras. They aren’t the only manufacturers who offer this tech in their cameras though. Another great thing about IBIS becoming more widely available is that the price of the cameras that feature it have come down in price. In this roundup, we will take a quick look at five cameras with IBIS that can be snapped up for under $2,000. Continue reading…

3 Ways the Nikon z7 Improved After Its Updates (and What’s Still Wrong)

The Nikon z7 just wasn’t ready for the market at launch, but it’s been profoundly improved.

When the Nikon z7 was launched, it perplexed a lot of journalists. It didn’t feel like it was ready for the market. There are a lot of odd things about the Nikon z7 and the rest of the Z series, but the company has worked to make it more usable and better overall. These improvements mostly in the form of firmware updates. However, Nikon did it right by launching some of their best and most essential lenses first. Photographers who like the Nikon way of doing things will be attracted to the z7: they do a lot of little things differently than the entire rest of the industry. Further, their system is available at a very steep discount as of the publishing of this story.

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I Unfollowed Everyone on Instagram and It Became So Much Better

To make the Instagram process a less toxic, I unfollowed everyone. And it was great.

Yes, I know; you’re caught up in the Instagram game. You need to get as many followers as you can. You also need to be interacting with the rest of the community. Getting followers and beating the algorithm to become seen is pretty tricky. To be honest, I’d recommend not fighting it and finding other ways to gain followers outside of the platform. If you’re just trying to make the stories and posts flow more comfortably, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is. Everyone wants the return of the chronological feed, but that’s never coming back. So how do you fight it? Well, I spent three weeks eliminating everyone I followed. Then, I took a small break. And finally, I followed only a few select folks.

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This Photographer Is Helping Women Love Their Bodies

Traditionally, the fashion industry reserves Catwalks for a particular type of look. But this photographer is part of a movement looking to break that toxic trend.

In the summer of 2019, UK Portrait Photographer Rodney Pedroza was hired to be the photographer for the London edition of The Real Catwalk. A former America’s Top Model contestant, Khrystyana Kazakova, started the event in New York back in 2017. Her vision was simple; create a catwalk space that was open to anyone and all body types. And with Rodney’s skills and creative concept, he was able to bring the best out of all the participants and document their journey to empowerment.

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8 Micro Four Thirds Lenses That Will Help You Create Stunning Images

There are some stunning Micro Four Thirds lenses available, and they’re capable of producing fantastic images.

The Micro Four Thirds system doesn’t get much love these days, and that’s a shame. This platform is a firm favorite of many thanks their smaller size and overall performance. Micro Four Thirds lenses from Olympus and Panasonic are stellar  too, and sensors found in these cameras are no slouches. They have proven time and time again that they can hang with some of their bigger cousins when paired with the right glass. Here’s a quick look at some of our favorite Micro Four Thirds lenses and what we think they excel in. Continue reading…

Olympus OM System: A Landmark in Compact SLR Camera Design

Let’s revisit some noteworthy models of this popular 35mm SLR series and the cool facts that make them film photography favorites.

Sometimes, size does matter in the photography world, as there will always be photographers who hold a preference for more compact and pocketable cameras. In the realm of SLR cameras, one series has retained its title as a lightweight champion: the Olympus OM-System. At nearly five decades and counting, it remains the SLR camera of choice for many film photographers who prefer more portable options that don’t compromise optical quality. Just in time for the 100th anniversary of Olympus this year, join us as we look back at one of the most innovative 35mm SLR systems ever made.

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Before I Turned 30, I Found Myself in Film Self-Portraits

Self-portraits are such throwaway photos these days that I was hesitant about doing anything creative with it. One day, I decided to just try it out.

In 2015, I thought about shooting a year-long diary project in film to mark the end of my 20s. I was inspired by a fellow film photographer who documented the last days of his 20s and turned it into a self-published photo book. He gave me his blessing to carry on with my plan, under one condition: I must use a film camera with a date stamp function throughout the project. I didn’t expect part of the project would involve pointing the lens at myself, and in the process, knowing myself better while learning about self-acceptance.

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7 Powerful Digital Cameras That Focus on Stills First and Video Second

It seems most digital cameras these days are focused on video and stills, but not all photographers need or want video features.

Mirrorless and DSLR cameras seem to offer the best of both worlds when it comes to photography and videography. While the latter of those two is great, not all photographers need cutting-edge video features in their cameras. Fortunately, there are digital cameras that have been made with purists in mind. They can record video too, but these cameras are first and foremost for stills. The digital cameras listed here were definitely built with photography in mind. Continue reading…