Photography News

For over a decade, Pixieset has built its name on gallery hosting and then expanded into photography business management with Studio Manager. Now it turns its head to tackling what happens in the gap between the shoot and the delivered gallery. Pixieset Photo Editor is an AI-assisted culling and raw editing app for photographers that brings culling, editing, and gallery delivery into one workflow. Photographers can cull large shoots, batch edit in their own style, make advanced raw adjustments, and publish finished photos directly to a Pixieset gallery.

 

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If you’ve ever been out exploring a place, especially one that has a lot of interesting subjects, you would know how having an organized and efficient bag can impact your output. These new accessories for the WANDRD ROGUE bags offer to take the user experience to a whole new level.

 

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Photography has worked without a camera and without shooting. Generative images test what is left after that.

 

You spend twenty years building a photographic archive, then train a generative model on it. The model begins producing images that look unmistakably like your work. Are those images photography?

Two questions hide in that one. Are the images photographs? And can the practice that produced them still be photographic?

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The way you set up your Lightroom Classic catalog decides how fast you can find a shoot from two years ago and how much work your next backup will be. Most people make that call in their first month with the software, long before they have enough photos to see how it plays out.

 

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The Fstoppers community is brimming with creative vision and talent. Every day, we comb through your work, looking for images to feature as the Photo of the Day or simply to admire your creativity and technical prowess. In 2026, we're featuring a new photographer every month, whose portfolio represents both stellar photographic achievement and a high level of involvement within the Fstoppers community. 

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Flat, evenly lit landscape files often sit unused on a hard drive, even when the location itself was beautiful. Lightroom's masking tools let you decide where the light falls after the shutter closes, so a dull frame of a field and a hill can be rebuilt into something with real depth and contrast.

 

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H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Patron of HIPA, honours American photographer Scott Kelby, recipient of the Photographic Research/Report Award in HIPA’s 4th Season, Life in Colour.

 

The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has finished judging its 15th season, with 'Family' as its theme. The award has now received more than one million photographs from over 500,000 photographers from 209 countries. Winners will be honored on 10 November 2026 at Dubai's Museum of the Future.

 

From HIPA:

 

The Board of Trustees of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has announced the completion of the judging process for the award’s 15th season, themed ‘Family’.

The announcement was made during a Board of Trustees meeting at HIPA’s headquarters in Dubai, where members reviewed annual performance reports, strategic initiatives, development plans and preparations for the season’s awards ceremony which will take place on 10 November 2026 at the Museum of the Future.

This season featured five categories: Family, Portfolio (Story-Telling), Sports Photography, General and Dreams Through AI.

The Board also revealed that HIPA has now received more than one million photographs submitted by over 500,000 established and aspiring photographers from 209 countries, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most influential photography platforms and the largest active international photography community.

 

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee with the winners of HIPA’s 14th Season, Power.

 

A Global Platform Born in Dubai

 

H.E Abdulrahman Bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of HIPA’s Board of Trustees, highlighted the transformative vision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Patron of HIPA.

He said, “The award has redefined the global photography landscape by establishing Dubai as an international centre for visual culture and creativity. Through its sustained investments in photographers and creative talent, HIPA has created life-changing opportunities for visual storytellers around the world, empowering them to document humanitarian, environmental and social issues while pursuing sustainable careers.”

He added that the award has played a significant role in supporting creative industries, strengthening visual culture and advancing sustainable development through the power of photography.

 

A Living Global Visual Archive

 

Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Vice Chairperson of HIPA’s Board of Trustee, described the award’s collection as a unique cultural and documentary resource.

“With more than one million photographs from 209 countries, HIPA has evolved into a remarkable visual archive that documents human, environmental and social transformations across the globe,” she said.

“This collection represents an invaluable artistic and anthropological record of the 21st century, and Dubai is proud to be its home.”

 

Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Vice Chairperson of HIPA’s Board of Trustees, honours American photographer Karim Iliya.

 

The World’s Largest Photography Community

 

Ali Bin Thalith, Secretary General of HIPA, said the organisation’s achievements extend far beyond the competition itself.

“Reaching half a million photographers and receiving more than one million images are milestones that place HIPA along the world’s most influential photography initiatives,” he said. “Our community spans 209 countries, creating an unparallel platform for visual dialogue, cultural exchange ad artistic excellence."

Bin Thalith added, “HIPA has delivered more than 230 specialised training programmes, benefitting over 10,000 photographers, while also providing dedicated initiatives for government employees, People of Determination and inmates in correctional institutions.

He noted that the award’s educational efforts include hundreds of published articles and visual programmes designed to promote photography culture and professional development throughout the UAE and the wider Arab world.

“The rising international visibility of photographers from the UAE and the Gulf region reflects the lasting impact of HIPA’s workshops, mentorship opportunities and engagement with world-class judging panels,” he said.

 

Photography as a Universal Language

 

Board of Trustees member Majid Al Bastaki said “HIPA has achieved a remarkable level of cultural globalisation by proving that photography is one of humanity’s most powerful common languages,” he said. It transcends borders cultures and languages while fostering understanding and connection among people.”

He added, “The international media and photography communities continue to recognise HIPA’s transparent judging process, robust intellectual property protections and blind evaluation system.”

 

Building Creative Human Capital

 

Board of Trustee member and renowned artist Matar Bin Lahej said, “HIPA’s impact extends well beyond recognising winners. Many awards end when the prizes are presented. HIPA continues creating value through education and capacity building. By investing in photographers and developing their skills, the award contributes to the long-term sustainability of the photography sector and strengthens Dubai’s position as a regional centre for photography education.”

 

Renowned sports photographer and HIPA judge Laci Perényi (GER)

 

International Recognition

 

Members of this season’s judging panel also praised HIPA’s global influence.

Award-winning American photo editor Kurt Mutchler noted that US media reports directly compare HIPA to leading American photojournalism and documentary photography awards, such as the Pulitzer and POYi. HIPA is recognised for its ability to attract entries from over 200 countries, owing to its inclusive nature and lack of restrictive entry barriers. He also highlighted the American media's praise for the humanitarian dimensions of the award’s annual themes—such as ‘Family’, ‘Diversity’ and ‘Hope’—and how they align with global cultural trends focused on human connections, social justice, and environmental protection.

Renowned German sports photographer, Laci Perényi, stated that European photographers view HIPA as a launchpad for international stardom; the visual impact of the winning images propels photographers into the ranks of stars with both power and confidence. He also noted that the European photography community regards HIPA as successful in sparking human engagement and fostering international interest in major global issues.

Polish documentary photographer Tomasz Tomaszewski remarked that HIPA has successfully utilised photography as a universal language to unite peoples and bridge cultures. He highlighted how the European arts press refers to HIPA as the "Oscars of Photography," citing its significant role in enabling winning creatives to achieve professional independence and dedicate themselves to environmental and humanitarian projects, in addition to the prestigious media exposure gained through their association with the award.

 

About the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA):

 

The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is an internationally renowned photography competition. It was launched in 2011 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. The award enjoys a social and legal stature as a tool for promoting Dubai’s vision of artistic and cultural excellence. On a local level, the award hopes to develop and increase awareness of the art of photography amongst the local Emirati population. For more information visit www.hipa.ae

You can shoot thousands of frames in a busy wedding season and still struggle to name the few that pushed your work forward. Separating the images that pleased a client from the ones that changed how you shoot is a useful habit, and it takes more honesty than most portfolio reviews ask for.

 

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Sony's a7 V is the general-purpose body in its full frame lineup, yet it now carries a 33-megapixel sensor and uncropped 4K at 60p, which puts pressure on the pricier models above it. If you shoot weddings, events, or a mix of stills and video, the question is how much paid work a base model can carry before you need something more specialized.

 

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As the weather's getting cooler and trees are losing their green tint to shades which are much warmer we thought it would be a good idea to bring ten of our popular autumn photography tutorials together in one place. That way when you're planning a day of autumn photography you don't have to go all over the web searching for ideas and suggestions.
 

1. Autumn Macro Tips With A Compact Camera

Just because you're using a compact camera doesn't mean you can't shoot some interesting, autumn-themed macro shots. Here are some tips and hints to help compact users perfect their technique.

 

2. Photographing Reflections During Autumn

With such bold colours on offer, autumn's the perfect season for capturing reflections. We have tips on capturing a mirror-like reflection as well as advice on shooting more abstract style shots.

  3. Autumn Garden Photography Tips

Your garden is full of autumn photography subjects which means you can stay close to home and still capture the season with your camera and lens.

 

4. Tips On Shooting Autumn Landscapes

Capture the autumn season with your wide-angle lens and you'll soon have a collection of autumn landscapes that really pack some punch.

 

5. Autumn Shooting at Arboretums

Here are a few tips on photography in an Arboretum. With trees all around and wildlife and flowers abundant, there's no excuse not to break the camera out!   

Today, I’ll give you my initial hands-on impressions of Nikon’s new entry-level mirrorless camera, the Z5IIC. 

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On April 3, 2013, one company turned off the lights in more than 2,000 portrait studios in a single day. CPI Corp. ran the Sears Portrait Studios and the PictureMe studios tucked inside Walmart, and when it collapsed it took the mottled blue backdrop, the laser-beam background, and the sheet of wallet-size prints down with it. For most of a century, that little studio at the back of the store was where America went to get its face made.

 

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Imagen's newest experience adds a built-in editor, introduces a faster way to get from idea to edit, and reshapes the workflow around how photographers actually work.

 

September 29, 2026 – Imagen today launched its newest update, challenging an assumption the photo editing industry has built around for years: that culling, editing, and delivery have to happen in a fixed order. Imagen’s Intelligent Studio, an adaptive post-production workspace, removes that order entirely. Photographers can cull first, start editing before making final selections, pull together a client preview from a handful of key moments, or move between all three as a project develops.

 

A full editor, built in At the core of the new experience is a new editor that brings full manual editing directly into Imagen for the first time. Photographers can work with RAW and JPEG files, with the same range of manual control they'd expect from a dedicated editing program: tone and color, detail and clarity, lens and perspective corrections, and creative finishing touches. Every adjustment happens in the same workspace as the rest of the shoot, no exporting to a separate program to make a change or see the result. For photographers who want Adobe Lightroom in their process, that workflow remains supported. Imagen gives them another option: they can now complete more of the project inside Imagen, from the original files through final export. Photographers can also apply an additional AI Profile to selected images directly within the edit, giving them more control over how Imagen's learned editing style is used across a gallery.

 

Intelligence that works alongside the photographer

Imagen also introduces new ways to find and work with images across a shoot. Imagen's new Assistant lets photographers complete multiple steps from a single instruction. Instead of finding a set of images, selecting them, making an adjustment, and preparing them for review one step at a time, a photographer can describe what they want in plain language. For example: “find the bride in the ceremony photos and increase highlights” or “create duplicate versions of these photos with a black and white base I can work from”. Imagen can handle those steps together, shortening the path from editing to delivery. 

AI filters run on that same underlying intelligence, surfacing photos by people, scenes, or moments without manual tagging. A gallery that used to take an hour to sort through by eye can be narrowed to the handful of shots that matter in seconds. Photographers still decide how far to take it: lean on Imagen for the first pass, or keep every selection by hand, and switch between the two from one project to the next.

 

 

Personalization that evolves with you

Imagen has consistently centered its AI development on the idea that a photographer's style, judgment, and eye are valuable assets to safeguard, not replace. While many in the industry aim to make AI handle more tasks independently, Imagen chose a different approach: building AI that adapts to how each photographer already works. The new version continues that philosophy, with a proprietary Editor model that learns how a photographer edits inside Imagen itself. 

This shifts the AI's role from merely a tool to an adaptive assistant that evolves alongside the photographer, one that's beginning to recognize patterns like a recurring sneak peek style, remember fixes made before rather than flagging the same thing generically, and tell the difference between a photographer's general style and the specific choices made for one shoot.

Imagen is positioning itself as a builder shaping the next stage of post-production. This is the foundation for that future, and the beginning of where the workflow goes next.

“Photographers don't all work the same way, and we don't think their software should expect them to,” said Yotam Gil, co-founder and CEO of Imagen. “Imagen gives photographers the tools to build the process that works for them. They decide what they want to do themselves, where AI can help, and how the final work should look. Our job is to give them more control over that process, not define it for them.”

 

Availability and Pricing

Imagen offers two plans: pay-as-you-go, with a $7 monthly minimum plus usage-based charges, and Limitless, a flat monthly rate for photographers who'd rather not track individual charges.

Pricing changes with Imagen’s Intelligent Studio for pay-as-you-go customers: instead of paying for each AI action, photographers can explore and continue editing freely, then pay for the images they ultimately export.

The update begins rolling out to customers in stages starting September 29. To learn more, please visit imagen-ai.com

 

About Imagen

Imagen is an AI-powered post-production platform for professional photographers and videographers. The company builds AI that learns each photographer's individual editing style and applies it consistently across their work, rather than treating every photo the same way. Imagen supports the full post-production process, from culling and editing to retouching and delivery, and is used by photographers and videographers worldwide across wedding, portrait, real estate, and commercial work. imagen-ai.com

Modern cameras are so good now that they pretty much do all the work for you. Focusing is instant, you get large, detailed files with incredible dynamic range, and the camera has the ability to correct many optical shortcomings of the lens attached in-camera, resulting in technically polished images. How predictable. And boring.

 

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Plenty of working portrait shooters still feel a flicker of guilt every time the mode dial leaves M, as if aperture priority or auto ISO were a confession. Choices about mode, file format, and aperture decide how quickly you can work with clients who won't hold still and how much room you have to fix things later.

 

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Real estate photography depends on how many listings agents actually land, so a headline claiming most agents closed nothing in a year hits hard if houses pay your bills. When the numbers behind your client base shift, the way you choose clients, package services, and plan the next few years should shift with them.

 

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A long exposure on a bright, sunny morning sounds like a contradiction, yet it is exactly what turns restless water into smooth glass around breakwaters and sea markers. Hard coastal light forces tougher choices about filters, exposure blending, and whether an image survives in color at all.

 

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Native 85mm f/1.8 lenses from the major camera makers commonly run several hundred dollars, and that cost keeps a dedicated portrait lens out of a lot of starter kits. The TTArtisan AF 85mm f/1.8 Neo lands far below that range with full autofocus on full frame mirrorless bodies, which makes it fair to ask how much gets cut to reach that price.

 

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In our busy modern lives, it is often complicated to find the time to shoot great autumnal images, considering the amount of research, walking and perseverance that is often involved. Big hitters like the New Forest and The Lake District are often out of reach for city dwellers, especially with a family in tow. So this coming autumn has a go at visiting an arboretum, as they make a brilliant and easy alternative, keeping the kids amused with throwing leaves at each other while you take some breathtaking opportunities to capture autumnal photography.

1. What kit is best?

When it comes to kit, fit a medium telephoto lens to your DSLR as it'll be particularly handy for capturing leaf and branch detail. Make sure you pocket your macro lens too. Don't forget your wellies when you visit an Arboretum as they do get a lot of visitors and the ground gets well-trodden.  

2. Why are arboretums so good as photographic locations?

Right, back to arboretums! As they are collections of trees from various continents, this can be just the ticket to an easy shoot. Horticultural planners include sensational visual displays to attract visitors in their thousands, to places like Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire to name one of the UK’s favourites. Yet it's not as simple as falling off a log, you need good sunshine and a well-timed visit to get the best from the colours and the day.

3. Any particularly stunning trees I should look out for?

There are two tree species to look out for - Maples and Acers. Most arboretums have these trees in their collection and they feature heavily in annual publicity shots (hence generating a huge car parking revenue each year, vital to the arboretum's upkeep). Westonbirt is not cheap to get in, but consider where this money is actually going.

4. What conditions are best?

It's best to wait for sunshine to give dimension to the trees, but if the day starts a bit flat and dull, all is not necessarily lost. Concentrate on staging some ideas, such as putting leaves on interesting textures or making arrangements of leaves themselves.

Also, try the good old zoom burst technique. Put an ND filter on the lens, set an aperture of f/16 and the ISO as low as possible. This should give a long shutter speed, maybe a few seconds. Set the camera's two-second timer, press the shutter and then zoom into the shot and create a wonderful vortex of colours. It's easy to do and is very effective.   

A batch of packaging board made at a mill on the Wabash River on August 6, 1945 came out radioactive, and the X-ray film stacked against it fogged after roughly two weeks in the box. A physicist at Eastman Kodak worked backward from those spots to a bomb test about 1,000 miles away in the New Mexico desert. He then sat on the finding for four years before publishing it.

 

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