📸 Fresh photo news roundup — here's what's happening in the world of photography today:
A Workforce of Creatures Chugs Along in Kate Renshaw-Lewis' Hand-Drawn Film "Busy Bodies"
Artist Kate Renshaw-Lewis created "Busy Bodies," a hand-drawn animated short in which an army of tireless creatures produces everyday items like rubber gloves or fish. The film explores the hidden processes behind ordinary objects through meticulously detailed visuals.
Leica Wants Your iPhone to Feel Like a Leica Camera
Leica has launched LUX 2.0, an app that brings the iPhone closer to the Leica experience with a redesigned gallery and external editing support. The update includes an "Artist Look" by Steve McCurry and compatibility with the iPhone 18 Pro.
Webb Photographs One of the Most Beautiful Gravitational Lenses
The James Webb Space Telescope (NASA/ESA/CSA) captured its latest Picture of the Month, considered one of the most powerful and spectacular gravitational lenses observed to date.
7Artisans' 109g 18mm F2 is an ultra-light autofocus prime for APS-C Sony cameras
7Artisans has released the 18mm F2, an ultra-light 109g autofocus pancake prime for APS-C Sony cameras. The company claims it's the lightest autofocus F2 pancake lens available for this format, priced at $169.
The Rise and Fall of the Mall Portrait Studio
On April 3, 2013, CPI Corp. closed over 2,000 portrait studios in a single day, including Sears Portrait Studios and Walmart's PictureMe locations. For nearly a century, these department-store studios with their iconic mottled blue backdrop were where Americans went for the family photo.
Imagen's Intelligent Studio Lets You Edit and Cull in Any Order, With a Full Editor Built In
Imagen has launched Intelligent Studio, a major update to its AI-powered post-production platform. The headline feature is a full manual editor, letting photographers edit and cull images in whatever order they choose.
Fantastical, Elemental Hybrids Persevere in Jon Ching's Metaphysical Paintings
Artist Jon Ching creates metaphysical paintings populated by fantastical hybrids, blending natural and animal elements in surreal ways. Inspired by his childhood on O'ahu, Hawai'i, his work explores the deep connection between humans and nature.
Is a Sony a7S IV Coming? Fat Chance
Rumors about a possible Sony a7S IV continue to circulate, but the author remains skeptical this model will actually materialize. No official confirmation from Sony so far — just unsupported speculation.
Polaroid Mod is an instant camera for playing with motion, light and split frames
Polaroid has launched Mod, an instant camera offering four creative analog effects straight from the frame, including motion, light, and split-frame play. A physical mode dial means these effects work without a phone or app.
Niklas Roy Constructs a Functional Pendulum Clock Made Entirely of Trash
Berlin-based artist and inventor Niklas Roy built a fully functional pendulum clock made entirely from garbage, reflecting his fascination with the convergence of art, science, and technology.
5 Vintage Lenses That Can Transform Modern Digital Cameras
This piece highlights five vintage lenses that can add character to photos shot on modern digital cameras. While today's gear is highly capable and corrects many optical flaws automatically, the results can feel predictable — vintage lenses offer a creative, distinctive alternative.
VSCO Reveals the First 25 Photographers It's Featuring on US Billboards
VSCO has revealed the first 25 photographers selected for "The Fifty," a project that will showcase the work of 50 photographers on billboards across the US. This is the first phase, with the remaining 25 to be announced later.
Imagen challenges the fixed cull-then-edit workflow with its newest update
Starting September 29, Imagen rolls out a major update that scraps the traditional cull-then-edit workflow. The three previously separate stages are now unified into a single non-linear environment, giving busy photographers more flexibility.
The Camera Settings a Working Family Photographer Actually Uses
A professional family photographer explains why you shouldn't feel guilty about skipping full manual mode. Exposure mode, file format, and aperture choices affect how fast you can work with restless clients — aperture priority and auto ISO can be just as valid as manual, as long as they serve the final result.
Man Faces Up to 10 Years In Prison After Sharing AI Image of a Crocodile
A man in Singapore was arrested and charged after allegedly posting an AI-generated image of a saltwater crocodile swimming in a public waterway. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
Is the Real Estate Photography Market Actually Shrinking?
Real estate photography depends directly on how many listings agents land, and a statistic showing most agents close zero deals a year is raising alarms for those who rely on this niche. As the client base shifts, photographers may need to rethink client selection, service packages, and future planning.
Eddy Firmin Interrogates History and Colonizing Forces in Provocative Sculptures
Montréal-based multidisciplinary artist Eddy Firmin creates provocative sculptures exploring history and the forces of colonization, offering a critical visual perspective on politics and its colonial legacy.
HIPA Photography Award Passes 1 Million Photos as 15th Season Judging Ends
Dubai's HIPA international photography competition has wrapped judging for its 15th edition, themed "Family." For the first time, entries topped one million photos, submitted by over 500,000 photographers from 209 countries.
Additional information on the upcoming Schneider Kreuznach × LK Samyang AF 28-135mm f/2.8 FE lens
New details have emerged on the upcoming Schneider Kreuznach × LK Samyang AF 28-135mm f/2.8 FE for Sony mount: 20 elements in 16 groups, water/oil-resistant coating, VCM-type AF motor, weather sealing, and 854g weight. Launch is planned for February 2027.
DJI Sells More Digital Cameras Than All Japanese Makers Combined
Chinese research firm IDC has released a new report on the global "smart camera" market, covering action cams and gimbal cameras. This fast-growing segment now exceeds the traditional camera market in size, with leader DJI alone outselling all Japanese manufacturers combined.