đ¸ The Magazine For Photographers
Breaking News in the Photography-World! Definitely a Magazine Issue you can not miss, enjoy the read ;)
In partnership with
In this weekâs Issue:
The Worlds most beautiful Cameras
Get Featured in this magazine for FREE!
Interview with Jorge Chagas
A Quick Guide to Astro Photography
Hasselblads new Lens
Instagram is updating their AI recognition
Photography Tip of the Week
Photographer of the Week
The New Screen-less Leica for $10K
Everyone can now become a Premium Subscriber
The Worlds most beautiful Cameras
The Nikon Zfc, which first launched in 2021, is getting a bold new look thanks to a collaboration with Heralbony Co., Ltd. Nikon has introduced the limited edition Nikon | Heralbony Zfc, featuring four artistic designs created by artists from Heralbony, a Japanese company. The collaboration was inspired by Heralbonyâs mission to "Radiate Your Color," a fitting theme for a camera thatâs all about self-expression.
Each of the four unique designs is based on artwork from Heralbonyâs collection of over 2,000 pieces, and buyers can choose whether they want the design on a black or silver Zfc body. So, in total, there are eight different style options to choose from. The cameras come in a kit with Nikonâs 28mm f/2.8 SE lens, which is basically a retro-styled version of the standard Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 lens.
Hereâs a quick look at the four featured artists:
Momoko Eguchi (Tokyo) brings vibrant sponge paintings full of life.
Masaharu Honda (Saga Prefecture) is known for intricate geometric designs.
Teppei Kasahara (Saga Prefecture) works with precise black-pen drawings.
Masahiro Fukui (Tottori Prefecture) creates bold, colorful strokes that make a statement.
The Heralbony designs replace the traditional solid-color leatherette on the front of the camera and extend to the rear grip, adding a splash of color to the top of the viewfinder as well. These artistic touches make the Zfc even more of a conversation piece.
Aside from the new look, the Nikon | Heralbony Zfc has the same internal specs as the original Zfc. That means it still sports a 20.9-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor, Nikonâs EXPEED 6 processor, a 209-point hybrid autofocus system with eye-detect autofocus, and it can shoot 4K UHD video at up to 30fps. The camera also comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy connectivity.
Availability and Pricing: Right now, the limited edition Heralbony Zfc has been announced in markets like Japan and the U.K., but there's no word yet on when (or if) it will be available in the U.S. In the U.K., the kit costs ÂŁ1,229.
Image Credits: Nikon
Get your Photos featured in this Magazine for Free
I am currently testing a new feature, where everyone can get a completely free chance to be featured in my magazine and get seen by thousands of fellow photography enthusiasts.
Advertisement (be sure to check it out) âŹď¸
We put your money to work
Bettermentâs financial experts and automated investing technology are working behind the scenes to make your money hustle while you do whatever you want.
Interview with Jorge Chagas
Welcome to a brand new interview with Jorge Chagas, an amazing street photographer from Portugal.
He actually has been a ââonlineââ friend of mine for a long time and we connected very very long ago. So I am thrilled to have finally sat down with him to do this interview.
You can find him on Instagram as @jorgemchagas
Enjoy this interview ;)
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello everyone, I'm Jorge, 40 years old, from Lisbon. I'm a web developer, and photography has been a part of my life from a very early age, for as long as I can remember. In university, I had photography classes for 2 years (analog), and that made me want to experiment and use my camera even more.
How did you get into photography?
As I mentioned earlier, photography has always, or from a very early age, been a part of my life. Although Iâm a developer today, my background is in design, and imagery, visuals, and the arts have always been my passion. Naturally, photography also became part of my life, starting with those small disposable cameras, up to todayâs digital age, and just like that, 25 to 30 years have quickly gone by.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue creating new and unique photographs?
What motivates me, first and foremost, is this passion for photography and capturing unique momentsâI canât even imagine my life without these moments; itâs something that feels natural to me now. Of course, there are periods when inspiration is low, and demotivation sets in, when things donât go well or feel right. That side is rarely shownâwhere we take thousands of photos and end up liking only a small percentage of them. But itâs during those times that itâs important to stay resilient and keep doing what we love; thatâs what ultimately sets us apart. Photography is a lot about trying, trying, and trying again until we eventually find our direction. Nowadays, inspiration comes in many forms, with so many great photographers being accessible to everyone. They bring me so much value and essentially push me to evolve and give even more of myselfâfirst, to prove that Iâm equally capable, but also to showcase my work and, in some way, keep up with them in a healthy competition.
What are some of the most important qualities for a great photographer to have, in your opinion?
Above all, a great passion for photographyâbeing able to do what we love should already be a differentiating factor because not everyone has that privilege. Next, be persistent and resilient. We will fail many times compared to the times we get it right, and thatâs part of the process. Over time, this process will shape the photographer you become and what you enjoy in photography. And experimentâa lot. Grab your camera and shoot. I know itâs a clichĂŠ, but itâs the reality. Nowadays, the equipment is fantastic, but that differentiating factor has everything to do with the drive to do more.
Are you a professional photographer or is it just a hobby?
Itâs just a hobby, and I love that it remains a hobby. I say this sometimes to friends: if it were a professional pursuit, the passion and the magic of being able to photograph what I want, how I want, and when I want, could be lost. There was a possibility of turning it into something professional, but it didnât work out. Maybe one day, who knows...
How important is social media for photographers?
Nowadays, it's very important, as it is for many other things, given that we live in the digital age. These platforms are a great way to showcase our work to others. The visibility gained through social media is huge, and thatâs very important for a photographer as well. However, having a website/portfolio where people can view your work in a more professional manner is something every photographer should keep in mind, as it is essential for the business.
What gear do you use?
Currently, I use an "old" Canon EOS R that I love; itâs been my companion for many years and has never let me down. Iâm considering an upgrade, but Iâll say it again: donât focus too much on the gearâthe difference lies within you. As for lenses, I have a few zooms, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, and some primes, which are my favorites: 50mm, 85mm, and 35mm, the classics.
What is your editing software of choice and how much time do you spend editing?
For editing software, I primarily and almost exclusively use Lightroom; I rarely need Photoshop, only in very specific cases. The editing time varies quite a bitâsome photos take 5 minutes, while others can take up to an hour. It all depends on how the photo turned out from the camera or how you envisioned that particular shot in your mind.
How did you find your signature photography/editing style?
This happened naturally. My "style" is closely related to what I likeâthe light and the contrast with shadows. Capturing the everyday life of my Lisbon, especially the people who bring this city to life. As I mentioned before, we all have influences from other photographers; we take what we like from each of them and add it to our own style. Each of us sees the world differently, which means that each of us has our own style. We might take the same photo with the same framing, but in the end, all the photographs will be different.
What is your dream equipment?
I donât have what I would call dream equipment. Iâve always used Canon simply because when I started with photography, it was the brand I chose for my first camera, and like with all relationships, it worked out well, so itâs been Canon ever since. That said, I would love to try the new Canon R5 Mark II or a Canon R1. However, if I were told I could only have one camera, I would love to try or acquire a Leica.
Any tips for beginners?
My main recommendation is to be curious and resilient. The results you expect wonât come right away; youâll need to explore, go out into the streets, stay attentive to your surroundings, and observe, observe, observe. The eye is something that requires a lot of training, just like most things we are already good at, but where we can always improve. And finally, never give up on your passion, on what makes you get up before the sun has risen or endure a huge downpour. If it drives each of us, itâs because it is truly special. Only something that is special has that effect on us humans.
Is AI going to replace photographers?
The rest, 9 more questions, of this Interview are for Premium subscribers only.
A Quick Guide to Astrophotography with Tips
Astrophotography is all about capturing images of celestial bodies and landscapes in the night sky, from stars and planets to distant galaxies and nebulae.
What Equipment is Best for Astrophotography?
Telescope: A good telescope is key for deep-sky astrophotography, helping you capture sharp, detailed images of far-off celestial objects. Entry-level models work well for beginners, while more advanced versions offer extra precision for experienced astrophotographers.
Camera Mount: An equatorial mount is particularly useful because it tracks the rotation of the Earth. This keeps your camera focused on a single object as the night sky moves, reducing blur during long exposures.
Camera Lenses: Wide-angle lenses are especially helpful for capturing large areas of the night sky in low light conditions. You might also want a telephoto lens for close-up shots of celestial objects.
Tripod: Since astrophotography often involves long exposure times, you'll need a sturdy tripod to prevent camera shake. This is one of the simplest but most critical pieces of gear for capturing sharp, stable images.
Intervalometer: While optional, an intervalometer can come in handy for controlling the timing and frequency of your shots. This is useful for time-lapse photography or for taking a series of long exposures without having to manually press the shutter each time.
Astrophotography Tips
Pay Attention to Moon Phases: The brightness of the moon plays a big role in what you can capture. A full moon will light up the sky, but it may drown out faint celestial objects like stars or nebulae. On the other hand, a new moon or crescent moon provides minimal light, allowing you to see and photograph more distant objects in the night sky.
Check the Weather Beforehand: Clear skies are crucial for good astrophotography. Even a few clouds can block out key parts of the sky, so be sure to check the weather forecast before heading out. Keep an eye out for rain or snow as well, as bad weather can not only interfere with your photos but also damage your equipment.
Shoot in Manual Mode: For astrophotography, manual mode is your best friend. Automatic settings just wonât cut it when you're dealing with low light. Manual mode lets you adjust critical settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to get the clearest, most detailed image possible. Donât be afraid to experiment with different settings until you find what works best for your subject.
Use a Wide Aperture: A wide aperture (low f-stop number) allows more light to hit your camera sensor, which is crucial when photographing faint celestial objects. Try to use the widest aperture your lens allowsâthis will make it easier to capture as much light as possible, helping stars and galaxies stand out.
Use Additional Light for Long Exposures: If you're shooting long exposures, consider using an LED headlamp or flashlight to briefly illuminate part of the foreground. This technique, known as âlight painting,â can add interesting foreground elements to your image. Just be cautiousâtoo much light can overexpose parts of your shot or add unwanted grain.
Use a Sky Map or Star Tracker: Before you head out, familiarize yourself with the night sky using a sky map or star-tracking app. This will help you plan your shoot by showing you where specific celestial objects will be located. Knowing in advance where to point your camera can save you time and effort while you're out in the field.
Hasselbladâs XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E
Hasselblad has just introduced its first ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for the X System, the XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E. This is also Hasselbladâs debut âEâ lens, meaning âExclusive,â which promises to offer the best optical quality the company has produced to date.
With a 16-27mm full-frame equivalent focal length, the XCD 20-35mm isnât just Hasselbladâs first ultra-wide XCD zoomâitâs also their widest lens for the X System mirrorless medium-format cameras.
The lens is reasonably fast at its widest focal length, so itâs well-suited for low-light photography, including astrophotography. Hasselblad claims itâs one of their most versatile lenses, especially when it comes to those wanting to capture wide, sweeping vistas or intricate architectural details.
Key Features
The XCD 20-35mm uses a stepping motor and lightweight focusing lens group to provide fast and accurate autofocus, especially when paired with a camera like the Hasselblad X2D 100C that features phase-detect autofocus.
Despite being an ultra-wide zoom, the lens is relatively lightweight at 805 grams (28.4 ounces) and supports 77mm front filters, making it more flexible than some other ultra-wide-angle zooms.
Optical Design
Optically, the XCD 20-35mm consists of 16 elements in 12 groups, including three aspherical and four ED elements, designed to suppress aberrations and provide the high-resolution clarity needed for Hasselbladâs 100-megapixel cameras. It promises excellent image quality throughout the entire zoom range, even when shooting at its maximum aperture.
A standout feature is the inclusion of a leaf shutter, allowing the lens to sync with flash at all shutter speeds, up to 1/2,000s. This feature is one of the key differences between Hasselbladâs X System and Fujifilmâs GFX System, its primary competitor. While both systems use similar sensors, the leaf shutter gives Hasselblad an edge when it comes to high-speed flash sync capabilities.
Pricing and Availability
The Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E is available now, priced at $5,929. Which is a VERY steep price.
Image Credits: Hasselblad
Instagram is updating their AI label Criteria
Metaâs been having a bit of a rough time lately trying to figure out how to handle AI-generated content on Facebook and Instagram. Earlier this year, they rolled out a system that tagged images with a notification when theyâd been edited or created using AI. Sounds like a good idea, right? Well, it didnât go as smoothly as theyâd hoped.
Initially, they introduced a label that said âMade with AI,â but the problem was that it treated all AI edits the same. So, whether someone just used Photoshop for a minor tweak or generated an entire image using AI tools like Stable Diffusion, it all got the same label. Naturally, this didnât sit well with a lot of photographers and content creators. To make matters worse, Metaâs system wasnât catching everythingâit relied on AI tags from the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), but since Meta wasnât actually working with CAI directly, some AI images slipped through unnoticed.
In July, Meta tried to fix things by changing the label to âAI Info.â But the underlying problem? Still there. Even small AI edits were getting tagged, which felt unfair to a lot of creators.
Now, Metaâs making another adjustment. Theyâve announced that soon, the âAI Infoâ label will be a bit more subtle for images that were only lightly edited with AI. Instead of sticking the label front and center, itâll get tucked away in the postâs menu. For images that were completely generated by AI, the label will still be visible, and Meta will include info on whether the tag came from industry signals or if the user disclosed it themselves.
The whole goal is to stop punishing photographers for using AI tools for minor edits while still being clear when something is totally AI-generated. If you want to dig into the whole timeline of these changes, Metaâs newsroom has all the details.
Image Credits: Meta
Photography Tip of the Week
The weekly photography tip is only accessible to Premium Subscribers of The Magazine For Photographers.
Photographer of the Week
Photographer of the week goes to: Omer Sarood
Congratulations on your luck:)
You can find him on Instagram as @asnaps1618
A few photos of his:
Donât forget to check out the advertisement âŹď¸
We put your money to work
Bettermentâs financial experts and automated investing technology are working behind the scenes to make your money hustle while you do whatever you want.
Leica M11-D, $10K, no Screen
Leica just unveiled the M11-D, a screen-less version of their 2022 M11 digital rangefinder. Known for breaking away from industry trends, Leica continues this tradition by stripping the M11-D down to its basicsâno display, just pure photography.
This isnât Leicaâs first screen-free camera. The M11-D follows the M Edition 60, M-D, and M10-D, catering to photographers who love the analog feel but still want the benefits of digital. Leica describes it as having a "Digital heart" and an "Analog soul"âperfect for those who enjoy the challenge of focusing on composition, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO without the distraction of a display.
The M11-D shares most of the tech from the standard M11: a 60-megapixel full-frame sensor, 256 GB of internal storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a USB-C port, and a solid 1,800 mAh battery. However, it also includes content credentials based on CAIâs C2PA standards, which is something the standard M11 lacks.
Compared to the older M10-D, this camera is a big leap forward. The M11-D has a higher resolution, better connectivity (including seamless syncing with iPhones and iPads), and a sleeker design. The cameraâs minimalist black aluminum body has no front Leica logo, giving it a timeless, understated look.
Leicaâs goal with the M11-D is simple: to offer a distraction-free shooting experience that makes photographers slow down and focus. Alongside the camera, Leicaâs offering a black leather half case and a matching strap in either black or cognac.
The M11-D is available now for $9,395, which is a slight premium over the standard M11.