Poignant Images from the 2020 World Press Photo Contest Nominees

World Press Photo wows us with the impressive nominated images for the 2020 contest while we wait for the winner announcement in April. 

If the World Press Photo Contest is among your sources of photography inspiration, you’ll be impressed as always with the poignant nominated images for this year’s run. Today, the World Press Photo Foundation introduced the 44 nominees for the eight categories of the competition, as well as those for World Press Photo of the Year and World Press Photo Story of the Year awards.

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New Elinchrom ELC 125, ELC 500 Studio Flashes are Smart and Affordable

The new, smart Elinchrom studio flashes can adapt to your shooting style and stay cool no matter what you’re doing.

One name that is synonymous with studio flashes and lighting gear is Elinchrom. For years, Elinchrom has been producing high-quality lighting, and their new offerings, the ELC 125 and the ELC 500, should be no different. These new studio flashes are smart, tough, adaptable, and surprisingly affordable. Join us after the break for all the details.

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Sony XPERIA 1 II and Sony XPERIA PRO Target the Alpha Audience

Sony seems to be making the closest thing to a phone for the professional photographer in the form of the Sony XPERIA 1 II and the Sony XPERIA Pro.

If any company can make a proper phone for professional photographers, I’d put my money on Sony with their new Sony XPERIA 1 II and the Sony XPERIA Pro phones. Panasonic came close years ago with a 1-inch sensor and an actual aperture in the lens, while these two new phones seem to do the job while being compact. Seeming to borrow technology from the Sony a9 II, they let photographers do 20fps shooting bursts with a 1/1.7″ sensor while keeping autofocus and exposure. Additionally, they’re bringing back the 3.5mm headphone jack for both phones.

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Could AI Photography Kill Our Industry? It May Be Possible

The world is continuously worried about the influence of artificial intelligence (AI). But it could never replace photographers, right?

You should be familiar with AI; you use it every day. It’s in the store, your computer, even in your car. AI has advanced so much over the past 20 years it’s now able to do many tasks once reserved for humans. For the most part, AI has replaced low-skilled jobs. But could it replace the role of a photographer? In a recent interview with Feature Shoot, tech journalist Greg Scoblete spoke about the impact AI may have on the photography field in the future.

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Today’s Camera Market Value Is Higher Than It Was During the Film Days

The camera market is giving manufacturers greater profits than ever, so quit your whining Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and others.

There has been so much noise made by the industry about the rise of cell phones with cameras that are good enough for most people. There has been even more noise from camera manufacturers about declining sales, and the decreasing value of the camera market. But Leica says that’s all a bunch of baloney! According to Leica, the camera market is alive and well; in fact, they say it’s better than ever. Let’s talk about this after the break.

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ProMaster’s HGX Prime Variable ND Filters Promise Extreme Sharpness

For all of you who love long exposures during the day, HGX Prime variable ND filters are calling your name.

Landscape photographers rejoice; you have another variable ND filter option to choose from. Of course, ND filters can be used in many genres of photography, so everyone rejoice. Today, ProMaster announced that they have decided to bolster their Prime Professional Collection of filters by adding the new HGX Prime variable ND filters to their lineup. ProMaster is claiming that you will get extreme sharpness and outstanding color rendition when you use one of these filters. Join us after the break for all the deets.

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The Nikon Z6 Now Runs Circles Around Panasonic, But It’s Not as Fast as Sony

With the latest firmware update for the Nikon Z6, it’s finally starting to perform like a serious camera.

As much as Nikon sometimes strikes me as a company that’s lost its way, I have to give them credit for the latest firmware update. Firmware 3.0 for the Nikon Z6 doesn’t only greatly enhance the speed of the camera, it also gives it the much anticipated Animal AF detection system. Photographers who buy the camera will be happy to know it works with dogs. In fact, we tested it with the Nikon 24mm f1.8 Z series lens and were pretty surprised by how it performed. Though the surprise comes with mostly good news to spread, it’s still not perfect and Nikon has some work left to do.

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Sigma Mount Converter MC-31 Will Cost $679, Ships February 27

The wait is now over for the availability of the Sigma Mount Converter MC-31, the development of which was announced in September 2019.

If you’ve been eagerly waiting for availability and shipping updates on the Sigma Mount Converter MC-31, the wait is now over. The company has finally announced today that shipping will begin on February 27th, and will retail for $679 from authorized Sigma dealers.

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The PiXLIGHT Speedlight Works With Any Camera, iOS and Android Too

If you have been looking for a Speedlight that can work with your smartphone and your regular camera, take a closer look at the PiXLIGHT.

There are has been a fair amount of innovation in the Speedlight and strobe markets recently, especially around lights that can be used with our trusty smartphones. PiXLIGHT has been working hard to bring their vision of a rechargeable, works with any camera or phone, off-camera flash to life as well, and so far, their Kickstarter campaign has far exceeded their expectations. Join us after the break for all the details.

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The Photoville FENCE is Now Accepting Submissions Until March 6th

It’s that time of the year again for photographers to join Photoville FENCE for a chance to get our best work showcased in nine major parks and downtowns across North America.

If part of your photography goals this year is to showcase the best of your work so far, you might want to start preparing your submission for this year’s leg of Photoville FENCE. Not only will you have the opportunity to have your work showcased in nine exhibitions, but also stand the chance to be one of two artists who will receive prizes totaling over $20,000.

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Josef Koudelka Exhibit to Showcase His “Exiles” and 1980s Panoramas

Mark your calendars and plan your visit to the Ernst Leitz Museum for an upcoming solo exhibit by Josef Koudelka featuring some of his most personal works.

Looking for the next photography exhibit to inspire you and expand your creative storytelling? The upcoming solo exhibition of influential street photographer Josef Koudelka is definitely not to be missed. Titled “Exiles and Panoramas,” it’s set for March 6 – August 23, 2020, at the Ernst Leitz Museum in Wetzlar, Germany. Whether you’re an ardent fan of Koudelka’s work or are looking for something to squeeze into your German adventures, this is a great opportunity to view some of his most personal and celebrated works.

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The NONS SL42 is the First Instant/Instax M42 Mount SLR Camera

NONS Sl42

The Nons SL42 takes Instax cameras to a whole new level, and it’s bargain-priced too.

We all know and love Instax cameras. The ability to be able to capture and print candid moments with our friends is quite honestly, priceless. Instax cameras are great, but have you ever wished for an affordable interchangeable lens Instax camera that could use some classic vintage lenses? If so, you need to check out this Kickstarter campaign for the NONS SL42, the world’s first M42 mount interchangeable lens camera that uses Instax film. Click past the break for all of the details.

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Patents Show Sony’s E Mount May Get 7 New Tamron F2 Prime Lenses

The Tamron f2 prime lenses will likely be cheaper options for those who want to build a solid lens library on the cheap.

Tamron took a good long while before fully committing themselves to the Sony E mount. But if recent news is anything to go by, they plan on making up for the lost time. No fewer than seven patents have been filed in Japan for new Tamron f2 prime lenses. This news should be welcomed by those who want to build a nice, affordable lens collection. Join us after the break for all the details.

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PolarPro’s LiteChaser Filter System Aims to Elevate Mobile Photography

PolarPro Litechaser Filter System

If you use your iPhone 11 as your primary camera, the PolarPro LiteChaser Filter system should help open up more creative avenues.

There is no denying that the cameras in today’s phones are seriously impressive, but content creators are handicapped by a lack of pro-grade accessories that can help them get more out of their cameras. PolarPro, known for creating filters for conventional lenses, has taken note of this and have created the PolarPro LiteChaser Filter system. It should help mobile creators get more out of their setup. Join us after the break to learn more about PolarPro’s new filter system which includes, a case, grip, ND filter, variable ND’s, and circular polarizers.

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Joel Meyerowitz Teaches You How He Makes Photographs

Looking for the next photography book to inspire and educate you? Keep an eye out for the new “Masters of Photography” series of how-to books that will kick off with Joel Meyerowitz.

Attention, photobook collectors! A new series of ”Masters of Photography” books is set to provide a new approach to instructional volumes. Each volume focuses on the work of a key photographer who shares everything about how they take photos. The series kicks off with Joel Meyerowitz: How I Make Photographs, a great learning opportunity for anyone who has ever wanted to learn from master portrait and street photographer Joel Meyerowitz.

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SNAP! Case for iPhone 11 Series Gets New Improvements

The latest Snap! Case comes with new features that make your iPhone 11 feel more like an actual camera.

Whether you prefer to take photos using your smartphone for now or simply want to get the full photographer experience, the latest edition of bitplay Inc.’s signature SNAP! Case should help do the trick. Newly designed, it now comes with two new features that turn the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max into the most camera-centric phones out there. If you’re keen on making your iPhone 11 feel a little bit more like an actual camera, looks like this is the case for you.

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CP+ Cancelled Due to Fears of Coronavirus, But There’s Still WPPI

CP+, one of the Photo Industry’s most important trade shows, is canceled due to fears of Coronavirus.

Journalists, attendees, and manufacturers won’t be heading to Japan later this month due to fears of Coronavirus. The global epidemic is causing fear of travel and slowed down economic growth. Earlier this month, Mobile World Congress was cancelled due to fears of Coronavirus as well. And while CP+ is cancelled, this may not be as gloomy as we think. WPPI 2020 still seems to be on even amid PDN shutting down.

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Why the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art Doesn’t Have Stabilization

The Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art doesn’t have image stabilization built into it, and we asked Sigma why.

Of course, Sony E and all L mount cameras have image stabilization on the sensor. But I run into journalists and influencers who I swear inject coffee right into their veins. While on a phone call with Sigma reps, I wondered why the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art didn’t have image stabilization. It’s an issue that’s bound to come up and it’s valid. Some folks are just awful at holding steady. We asked Sigma to give us an official response as to why it doesn’t have image stabilization.

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ShutterWatches Uniquely Combine Camera Shutters with Pocket Watches

If you’re both a watch lover and a vintage camera collector, ShutterWatches combines these two passions into unique Compur shutter timepieces!

When you’re an ardent collector of anything vintage, you’re bound to have some overlapping interests. When these come together in one item, the result can be both beautiful and very cool. It’s not surprising to find, for example, some vintage-inspired items that will tickle the fancy of photographers who also shoot film on the side. The coolest we’ve found so far are these handmade pocket watches by ShutterWatches that are guaranteed to make one-of-a-kind statement pieces.

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Canon Introduces New Cloud Platform, RF Lens, and SELPHY Printer

Apart from announcing the development of the high-end EOS R5, Canon also introduced a bunch of new products for photographers to expand their creativity with.

Looking for some new creative tools to further your photography projects? If you’re a Canon photographer, the company has a bunch of freshly launched products for you: a new RF lens, a new cloud platform, and a square portable printer. This announcement comes alongside the news of the development of the high-end Canon EOS R5, so while waiting for that, you might want to explore these other tools in the meantime.

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