For no reason at all

I can’t stop going back to this news, watching the video and looking at the pictures. It’s heartbreaking—this reporter was shot for no reason at all, just for someone’s cruel idea of entertainment.

I’m absolutely pro-police—I believe in law and order and the vital role officers play in keeping our communities safe. But respect has to go both ways. It’s a two-way street, and trust can only exist when it's mutual.

 

 

Lightroom Classic June Update

 Adobe has released an update for Lightroom Classic. What is new? Well, Denoise has been updated and now it does not create a copy of the original. Beside that a New option has been added called Remove Distractions. This feature includes two options, remove reflections and remove people, this last one useful to remove people from your landscape photos. You can see these changes here in this video. 

 

Photographer shot by a sponge bullet

While checking the news, I came across two incidents where a photographer and a journalist were struck by sponge bullets. Covering a protest isn’t as safe as many might think—especially when the protest turns violent. Here are my recommendations for those willing to take the risk:

- Avoid getting trapped between protesters and law enforcement.
- Always be aware of escape routes.
- Constantly scan your surroundings.
- Don’t run unless necessary: Running can draw attention or cause injury in a chaotic crowd.

Nick Stern saw blood pouring down his leg after being shot by a non-lethal round (AP)

 

Extreme wedding photography

Couples sometimes want unique wedding photos—pictures that make you go “wow.” And if there’s demand, there will always be photographers willing to go to extremes, no matter how risky getting those shots might be or how far they have to travel.

This article from LA Times is about one of those photographers, Aimée Flynn. 

 

Lenovo announcing a digital camera

Lenovo has announced a digital camera in China. The news comes as a surprise, since Lenovo is better known for making computers. PetaPixel is covering the story in detail. I have to say, the pictures in the brochure reminded me of the kind of Chinese propaganda often seen in products from the 1990s—heavily Photoshopped to the point that they looked fake.

 You have to agree that this point and shoot looks more like a toy than to a real camera. 

The Best DSLR being sold at Amazon

A few days ago, we commented on an article noting that the Canon 1D X Mark III was priced higher than the current Canon R1. Today, I found that YMCinema pointed out that the Nikon D850 is still the best-selling DSLR on Amazon, even though Nikon has released other mirrorless cameras intended to replace the D850

"In 2025, you might expect the spotlight to belong exclusively to mirrorless cameras, with their compact builds, cutting-edge autofocus systems, and rapid innovation cycles. Yet, the DSLR world isn’t just holding on—it’s thriving in select corners. Case in point: the Nikon D850, a camera first released in 2017, is now officially the best-selling DSLR on Amazon."

The first DSLR I bought was a Nikon D5200, around 10 years ago. Remarkably, this camera is still being sold by Nikon for around $589. It's a crop sensor camera that I used for wildlife and some portrait photography, and it was built like a tank.

Mirrorless cameras came along to make our lives easier with a bunch of new features, but DSLRs can still deliver images of similar quality—if you learn how to use them. And perhaps more importantly, they do so at a fraction of the price.

Banning Under Water Cameras

According to News published at PetaPixel, "Thailand has introduced strict new regulations targeting underwater photography". On "... a ministerial order published in the Royal Gazette, divers must now hold an Advanced Open Water certification or prove a minimum of 40 logged deep dives to carry cameras underwater. These documents must be presented upon request by authorities. The rules apply to all recreational dives, including training and examination dives."

To be honest, I really do not think that there is in any country around a world enough underwater photographers capable of causing any damage to the fragile coral reef ecosystems. This is one of those cases of unfounded extremism. 

 Coral reefs are being damaged by a combination of natural and human-driven factors. The main causes include:

•     Climate change – Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching, where corals expel the algae they rely on, leading to their death.
•     Ocean acidification – CO₂ absorption lowers ocean pH, weakening coral skeletons and slowing growth.
•     Pollution – Runoff from agriculture, sewage, and plastic waste introduces toxins and excess nutrients that harm coral ecosystems.
•     Overfishing – Disrupts the balance of reef ecosystems and removes key species that help maintain coral health.
•     Coastal development – Dredging, construction, and land clearing increase sedimentation, which smothers corals.
•     Destructive fishing practices – Methods like blast fishing and cyanide fishing physically destroy reefs.
•     Unsustainable tourism – Anchoring on reefs, touching corals, or careless diving/snorkeling can damage fragile structures.
•     Invasive species – Predators like the crown-of-thorns starfish can devastate large areas of reef if not controlled.

I doubt that prohibiting photography will do much to control careless diving or snorkeling. Usually, those who seek out photos are very mindful of leaving nature just as they found it.

How Tariff could affect photographer...

It seems that photographers will be affected highly by tariffs and this could happen faster than what we initially thought. Even when most of the professional cameras are coming from Japan there are many parts made in China which tariff is 145%. More about this in this video. 

Will this affect clients? Of course, if a photographer pays more for the gear that cost needs to be passed down to the clients.

From street cleaner to model

A street photographer changed this woman's life when he took her picture and posted a video of the entire process online.

You can read the details of this storybook-like tale here.

Canon canceled price drops for two cameras

According to TechRadar, Canon has cancelled their plan to drop the price in two of cameras, the R7 and the R10.

"price drops that were scheduled for May on both the EOS R7 and EOS R10 have been canceled in the United States". Annoyingly for anyone who's been planning to buy an affordable mirrorless camera, it was also told that "the price drops were going to be significant."

It's impossible not to link this change to the recently imposed tariff increase on Japan.

RF 200-800mm lens breaking in two

I've heard of many things, but this one ranks among the most bizarre! According to PetaPixel, a group of photographers reported that their RF 200-800mm lens broke in two while being transported in a backpack.

This is a $2,000 lens, and I would at least expect a certain level of quality from Canon.

Picture courtesy of PetaPixel.

 

Getting a M series Mac for your photo editing?

If you are thinking about getting a M Series Mac for your photo editing tasks you must read this article published by PC Mag. And this is why you should read it. With the release of M4-based Macs, Macs with M1, M2, and M3 chips are being sold at lower prices. So far, this isn’t a secret. The key detail is that Apple is no longer producing M1, M2, or M3 chips, meaning that once current stock runs out, that’s it. When they’re gone, you’ll have only one option: buying an M4. Keep in mind that the MacBook Air is now three times cheaper than when Apple first released it.

This explains why, when I bought the M3 MacBook Air, I posted about the great deal I got. To my surprise, that deal was gone the very next day—and never came back. 

Right now, it's hard to find new M1, M2, and M3 Macs, but you can get great deals on refurbished units. In this case, I’d recommend considering sellers that offer a one-year warranty and checking if the battery was replaced during the refurbishing process.

PS. Many experts consider the  Lenovo Thinkpad X9-14 Gen 1 as the closest competition to the MacBook Air. And guess what, it priced in around $1850 at Amazon.

Nikon Z 8 New Price

 Nikon Z8 is not $3396 at Amazon, that's 15% off the original price. 

The Nikon Z8 stands out as a versatile and powerful tool for both photography and videography, offering high-resolution imaging, rapid performance, and advanced features in a more compact form factor compared to its flagship counterparts. Its combination of cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design makes it a compelling choice for professionals seeking a reliable and adaptable camera.

Canon R5 Mark II $300 price reduction

 Canon R5 Mark II gets a 7% price reduction at Amazon. 

 

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is a versatile and powerful tool for both photographers and videographers, offering high-resolution imaging, advanced autofocus, and robust video capabilities. Potential users should be aware of the reported issues and consider how they might impact their specific shooting needs.

And the winners are...

No, this post is not about the Oscars but about the The Nature Photo Contest Winners for 2025. 

When discussing what makes a great wildlife or nature photograph, many factors come into play—composition, technique, and various other elements. However, one of the most crucial aspects, in my opinion, is being in the right place at the right time. No matter how skilled or technically proficient you are, it means little if the opportunity doesn’t present itself—especially when photographing wildlife.

A perfect example of this is the award-winning photograph Polar Bear Amid Fireweed Blooms by Christopher Paetkau.

 

I'm pretty sure this picture was captured with a drone, and while drone-mounted cameras are far from the best on the market, this is still a stunning photograph. The award is well deserved.

Criminals targeting photographers

This is disturbing news—criminals are targeting both amateur and professional photographers in New York. Interestingly, they are not going after tourists, likely knowing that attacking a tourist would prompt a different response from the NYPD. Another notable detail is that they seem to be specifically targeting those using Sony cameras. You can read more details about this news at PetaPixel. 

Photographers in New York City are being told to stay vigilant after a string of violent camera robberies linked to a crew of thieves.

My guess is that due to their boxy design, Sony mirrorless cameras are easier to identify as high-end gear. In contrast, Canon and Nikon cameras have a more discreet design, making them harder to recognize—especially if you cover the logo and model number with black electrical tape. 

You might need to start carrying pepper spray in Times Square.

Here are some useful recommendations:

• Standard neck straps can be easily cut. Instead, opt for cut-resistant straps made with reinforced materials like steel wire or Kevlar (e.g., Pacsafe or BlackRapid straps).
• A wrist strap or cross-body sling may also be safer than a standard neck strap.
• Instead of just hanging it around your neck, wear it cross-body with the camera resting at your hip.
• Use black electrical tape to cover the logo and model number to make your camera less recognizable as expensive gear.
• A worn or non-branded strap is less attractive to thieves than a strap with "Sony," "Canon," or "Nikon" branding.
• Never leave your camera unattended on a tripod. 
• Even with precautions, theft can happen. Camera insurance can cover losses in case of theft.
  

 

New products from Sigma

 Christopher Frost reported from Japan about new products coming from Sigma, a new 300-600mm and 16-300 mm lenses and the new BF camera that we have covered before in this blog.

 He also shared the first review of the BF Camera that I have seen so far. Check what he has to say about this new camera. 

Would I buy the BF? No. In my opinion, the lack of buttons makes control difficult, requiring too many clicks to adjust settings. Additionally, the camera’s ergonomics are a concern for me. If this is your only camera, it might work for you, but if you own other mirrorless or DSLR cameras, switching to this one could be a frustrating experience.

Regarding the two new lenses: The 300-600mm is an interesting option for wildlife and sports photographers. While this range may provide excellent image quality, I find it somewhat restrictive—especially for photographers who switch between portraits and distant wildlife without changing lenses.

On the other hand, the 16-300mm looks like a perfect travel lens, though I wouldn’t expect it to deliver the same level of image quality as the 300-600mm. Between the two, I’m most excited about the 16-300mm. Unfortunately, neither of these lenses is available for Canon RF cameras yet.

Sigma releasing a new camera

Sigma is releasing a new camera, the Sigma BF. It boasts an exquisite design with a clean, minimalist look, unlike any other camera I've seen.

This full-frame camera comes with a 24MP sensor and an impressive 230GB of internal memory.

While the design is visually appealing, I have concerns about its ergonomics—especially for wildlife photography, where holding the camera for extended periods is crucial.

The Sigma BF camera is priced at $1,999 and is expected to ship in April 2025. This price does not include a lens; however, the camera is compatible with the L-Mount standard, allowing you to choose from a variety of lenses.

More about this camera in this promotional video from Sigma. 

 

 

China is saving the digital camera market

 According to this report from The Photographer. 

...the digital market has seen positive changes thanks to Chinese youth. This comes from the generation’s dissatisfaction with smartphone cameras and their preference for better quality images and videos, which one can only capture with a proper camera. This trend has been more pronounced in China, where large shipments of digital cameras saw an increase of 1.9 million units in 2024, which is about 25%. China now accounts for 28% of the total global shipment value, up 13 percentage points since 2019.

I was expecting an article about how cheap, low-quality Chinese cameras are flooding sites like Amazon, but it turned out to be good news. Even the best smartphones can't match the image quality of a dedicated digital camera. Just invest in a good one and avoid wasting money on poorly made, unbranded models.

Clients be aware

Wedding photography can be a lucrative business, with some photographers charging thousands of dollars for a single day’s session. Believe it or not, many clients are willing to pay that amount to capture one of the most important moments of their lives. Unfortunately, scammers exploit this, preying on emotions and stealing money from those who choose the wrong "photographer." This news highlights how difficult it can be to recover your money once you've fallen victim to one of these impostors.

In a twist to this scam, the so-called photographer actually hired a real photographer to do the job. The photographer completed the work but was never paid. As a result, she is holding onto the wedding pictures until she receives her payment, leaving the bride stuck in limbo.