Previously, we reported on some of the gear used for the World Press Photo Awards for 2024. And now, we’ve got the best of the final four global winners being announced. Their images cover sides of important photojournalistic stories that aren’t seen very much in the media. However, the images are important and convey stories that genuinely need to be shared. Here are the final four global winners for 2024.
Today, TIPA is announcing its list of the best camera gear for 2024. The organization, which was founded in 1991, has been providing awards to manufacturers over the years based on various things within the photo industry. This year, the Phoblographer joined the voting process and helped to determine some of the best camera gear around. Below, you’ll see the roundup of the best camera gear and find links to our reviews.
It’s a well known fact: the Phoblographer has reviewed the most camera straps of any accredited photo publication around. And the reason why we haven’t reviewed that many is because they’re all more or less the same. But when Charles Bowman of Bowman Leather contacted us, we didn’t much of it at first. Like any new entrepreneur, we all don’t know how to market ourselves and our strengths — that comes with time. Buried in his website is the Vantage strap — a hybrid neck and wrist strap that is completely unique amongst anything that I’ve ever seen or experienced. Trust me when I say this: the Bowman Leather Vantage strap is something special. Nothing has given me this much versatility and protection out there.
As time has gone by, the Panasonic S5 II has aged like a ripe cheese ready to deliver a meticulously crafted experience that any hybrid shooter will appreciate. We’re a still-based website, and so we’ve updated our Panasonic S5 II review to include the latest change around animal eye recognition and the Pre-burst shooting mode. If you photograph animals, then you’re really going to like what the camera has to offer you now. As time has gone by, the Panasonic S5 II has aged like a ripe cheese ready to deliver a meticulously crafted experience that any hybrid shooter will appreciate. We’re a still-based website, and so we’ve updated our Panasonic S5 II review to include the latest change around animal eye recognition and the Pre-burst shooting mode. If you photograph animals, then you’re really going to like what the camera has to offer you now. We got to test an early version of the firmware, and here’s what we’ve found.
One of the things most people are shy about is their skin. They only ever see themselves in the mirror and don’t often see how they look from a completely different perspective. And as a photographer, part of your job is to portray them in a different light, pretty literally. Lots of folks are afraid of off-camera lighting via flash. But off-camera flash can add a glimmer to someone that constant lights just can’t do. So here’s how to light a portrait to make skin look soft and attractive!
Some of the biggest logistical problems have to do with avoiding reflections. Sure, reflections can be used very well creatively — but not when it comes to product imagery typically. If you’re photographing watches, then this is something you always want to avoid. So we’re going to let you know a few secrets around how to shoot bette watch photos. Oh, and we’re also telling you all about our favorite gear for it too.
I purchased the Leica 28mm f2 APO SL lens a long time ago. And for the past few years, it has been my most used lens. The special image quality of an apochromatic lens is really something to behold. Plus, there’s the solid build quality it offers too. And recently, the brand offered a firmware update to the lens to make it even better. So we’ve updated our Leica 28mm f2 APO SL lens review.
Something that photographers don’t talk about enough is the multiple exposure mode on their cameras. Why? Well, it’s typically because so many of them don’t understand it and it isn’t made easy for them. But in fact, it’s made incredibly easy for them. The truth is that just like flash, manual exposures or anything else, it just takes time to learn. Once you learn this skill, you can use it to artistically express yourself in ways you haven’t done before. In this article, we’re giving you a brief overview on how to use the multiple exposure mode on your camera. And we hope that you’ll give it a shot.
“I would definitely credit photoshop to where I flex my creative muscles most,” says Erin Grabowski to the Phoblographer. “I really enjoy compositing an image together into the final concept, being able to customize the light and the color in post is really fun to do. I try to plan my images to support what I want to do in post so photoshop is really where I have a lot of fun with my image-making.” Erin is the subject of most of her portraits, and makes composites that have a feeling exuding dark beauty.
Sports photography is something that can be positively incredible when you get the right moments and framing. But in truth, it seems like it’s just replaced by video these days. Camera companies are releasing tons of cameras designed to be able to shoot tons of sports and wildlife. However, sports departments are shutting down, and photographers have to find new work as a result. All of the cameras push the idea of faster frame rates, better high ISOs, and insane autofocus that can track subjects to get some of the best moments. These days, we don’t see enough creative photo techniques because modern sports photographers are too busy looking instead of seeing.