Round 1 is over! The second round is now open for voting, and you can see Round 1 results and commentary here.
Photographing the Fiery Topaz: A Feathered Gemstone of the Amazon
The green shadows of the Amazon hide many treasures. From the gold and riches that played a role in the plundering of the world's largest rainforest, to the ones I'm after — living treasures. One river, the Napo, plays a central role in both types. The Napo River is part...
When the Photographer Does Not Shoot
Often, photographers are driven by the obsessive need to capture the moment, to be productive at all costs. Recently, however, I rewatched a movie that contained a different reflection, one that I would like to share with you today. It is the beauty of choosing not to shoot, to fully...
Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ Review
The Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ is a full-frame mirrorless lens targeted toward videographers and hybrid shooters. Although it isn't Nikon's first PZ (Power Zoom) lens, it's their first that is meant for a professional audience. The high-end nature of the lens is evident not just in the build quality,...
Photography News: Nikon Z8 Firmware Warning, Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Announced
It isn't always easy to come up with a topic for the opening paragraph of this weekly news. Most of the time, though, I find that life itself provides the inspiration I need. Like right now, for example, as I sit under our garden pergola writing these words and witnessing...
My Favorite Photos on Photography Life This Year
One of the coolest things about working at Photography Life is being around a bunch of people who are really passionate about their photography! And although gear, reviews, and just plain maintaining a small website sometimes takes more time than photography itself, I thought I'd look back at our 2025...
How to Photograph Fireworks – Everything You Need to Know
Want to learn how to photograph fireworks for the 4th of July or any other occasion? These tips cover everything including your choice of camera equipment, camera settings, composition, and more.
The Nikon Z9 Pushed to the Edge of High ISO
Remember the days when we eagerly awaited each new camera generation to see how noisy its high ISO photos would be? Not so long ago, ISO 6400 was the absolute limit of real usability. Anything above that was, at best, suitable for special events like UFOs, Loch Ness monsters, or...
What’s in My Backpack? Summer in the Arctic Edition
For photographers, there is nothing quite like traveling to the Svalbard archipelago and venturing onto the pack ice for photography. As I pack for such a trip, I am evaluating the camera gear that worked best on my previous Arctic travels. My goal is to travel with a streamlined, yet...
Photography News: Laowa 12mm f/2.8 AF Released, Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Rumors
It’s Sunday, 6:40 a.m., and I’ve been staring at the surface of a fishpond for over two hours now, trying to photograph Europe’s largest eagle — the white-tailed eagle. I’m standing in cold, muddy water from the knees down. The smell of rotting silt clings to the air. I keep...