📸 The Magazine For Photographers

Welcome to a brand new Issue of my Magazine. Another amazing one, enjoy the read :)

In partnership with

In this week’s Issue:

  • TTArtisans new Vintage Lens

  • Get your Photos featured in this magazine for FREE

  • Skylums Aperty App

  • A Guide to Fine Art Photography

  • 7Artisans new Macro Lens

  • Photography Tip of the Week

  • Photographer of the Week

  • Pro Grades new SSD for PROs

  • AI Versions of YOU in your IG Feed

  • Everyone can now become a Premium Subscriber

The TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 Vintage Vibe Lens

TTArtisan just dropped a new 75mm f/1.5 ‘swirly bokeh’ lens, styled after the vintage Carl Zeiss Biotar. It’s a manual, mechanical lens in an M42 mount, but it’s easily adaptable to modern camera systems like Fujifilm, Sony, Nikon, Canon, and others. The big appeal here? That distinctive, swirly bokeh that comes to life when you shoot wide open at f/1.5, adding a dreamy, almost cinematic touch to portraits and stills.

This isn’t the lens for hyper-precise, clinically sharp shots; it’s designed to give photos character and mood. It uses a basic setup of six glass elements split into four groups, two of which are high refractive index, all tied together with a 13-bladed diaphragm. The aperture range goes from f/1.5 to f/16, giving you lots of flexibility for bokeh-heavy shots or more controlled, closed-down looks. You get a 0.75-meter minimum focusing distance—not super close, but it’s enough for striking portraits and wider shots with some breathing room.

Using this lens feels like a throwback. The focus ring has a solid 180-degree rotation, and the aperture ring is right up front, with double-clicks per stop from f/1.5 to f/5.6, and single clicks after that. It’s got a 58mm front thread for filters and comes with metal caps, though no hood. Weighing in at 570 grams, it’s built from aircraft aluminum, giving it that sturdy, vintage feel without being too heavy.

TTArtisan calls it a “Soulful Revival, a Classic Reborn,” and they’re leaning into the idea of the lens adding a bit of character and flare—literally. At certain angles, you’ll get these radiant arcs that play with light and shadow, giving images a timeless, artistic vibe. It’s priced at $269, available through Pergear and Amazon, and if you check out the sample shots, you’ll see that swirly bokeh effect in all its glory across different settings. Perfect for anyone wanting a touch of vintage flair in their photography.

Here are a few sample shots:

Image credits: TTArtisan

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), this is an amazing Newsletter that I read myself, absolutely recommended ⬇️

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Upgrade your news intake with 1440! Dive into a daily newsletter trusted by millions for its comprehensive, 5-minute snapshot of the world's happenings. We navigate through over 100 sources to bring you fact-based news on politics, business, and culture—minus the bias and absolutely free.

Skylum’s Aperty App Was Made Specifically for Portraits

Skylum just announced Aperty, its latest portrait editing software (formerly called Project “Barcelona”) built for pro portrait editors looking for top-quality results, fast.

Some of the standout tech behind Aperty includes a new Face Mesh feature, which processes up to 4,000 dots per face—20 times more than other software, according to Skylum. This means every edit can be super precise and natural-looking, capturing depth and detail in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere. Then there’s Face and Body Segmentation, which recognizes up to 30 different parts of the face and body, allowing for highly detailed adjustments. Finally, the Synthetic Data Set Generation feature, which powers Aperty’s AI, uses synthetic data to keep creators’ work safe and private—tackling big concerns around intellectual property.

Aperty was developed alongside portrait photographer Julia Trotti to ensure it meets the specific needs of serious photographers. This collaboration led to a streamlined, pro-level workflow that even includes batch processing, so you can breeze through multiple photos with consistent quality. As Trotti put it, “Aperty is the portrait editing software I’ve always dreamt of creating to help save time retouching while maintaining professional results.”

At launch, Aperty will include tools for skin smoothing and blemish removal that keep details intact, as well as color correction to even out skin tones affected by mixed lighting. There’s also a Studio Light tool to create artificial lighting and add textures, a makeup tool for adding blush and contour, advanced masking for precise control over specific areas, and the option to apply Presets and LUTs in just a few clicks.

According to Skylum’s CEO, Ivan Kutanin, they really focused on understanding the needs of professional photographers who are pressed for time. “With Aperty, what used to take hours — retouching each photo individually — can now be done in a fraction of the time,” Kutanin said.

Pricing and Availability
Aperty will be available for preorder starting October 1, 2024, and officially launches on November 7, 2024. Preorder pricing includes a one-year subscription plus an additional free year for $199 (€179). After launch, subscriptions will cost $29.90 per month or $299 annually, which covers updates, support, and installation on two devices. A lifetime license will also be available for $249, covering two years of free upgrades and five years of general updates.

Image credits: Skylum

A Guide to Fine Art Photography

Fine art photography is basically where taking pictures meets creative thinking. It’s not just about snapping a cool shot, but more about telling a story, expressing emotions, or sharing a personal experience through the photo. It’s a chance for photographers to get a bit more personal and intentional with their work, whether they’re exploring feelings, memories, or even a particular idea they want to communicate.

Now, you might wonder—if all good photographers aim to put a little bit of themselves in their photos and make people feel something, can’t all photos be considered "fine art"? In a way, yeah, the lines can definitely get blurred. Fine art photography can cover all kinds of genres, and what's considered fine art is pretty subjective. But what really sets it apart is the approach and thought behind it.

Fine art photography isn’t just about capturing a quick moment. It involves planning and thinking about the message, the composition, and the little details that make up the final image. Some fine art photographers even create photo series where a group of images work together to tell a bigger story, rather than a single photo standing on its own.

What makes a photograph "art" is a tricky question because everyone has their own take on beauty and meaning. Photographers, though, tend to have an eye for finding interest in things that others might overlook, and that creative way of seeing the world is what starts to separate a simple snapshot from a work of art.

Think of it like this: fine art photography should be crafted with as much care as a painting. It’s not about just taking a picture for the sake of it. It’s about setting up the scene, thinking through what you want to say, and carefully arranging everything to create something intentional. It's not really about showing off camera skills—it's more about using the camera to express an idea, feeling, or message, whether it’s personal, social, or even fictional.

Fine Art Photography Ideas/Techniques and Tips

Focus on a Single Subject
If your main subject isn’t clear immediately, you’ll lose the viewer’s interest. Keeping it simple is key. For still life shots, using a plain background, like black or neutral tones, helps the subject stand out. If your subject is dark, opt for a lighter background to create contrast. A dark subject against a dark background will require a lot of light to avoid it blending in.

Use a Slow Shutter for Movement
Fine art often aims to convey emotion, and creating a sense of movement in a still image can add drama and energy. Try slowing your shutter speed to around 1/15th and introduce motion, like a model tossing their hair or wind blowing through trees. Motion blur can give your photo a dynamic edge and add depth.

Get Creative with Composition
Centering your subject can sometimes make the image feel predictable or boring. By putting everything in the middle, you risk losing background details that could be important to the story you're telling. You don’t have to avoid the center completely, but think about whether the subject is blocking anything interesting. If so, try shifting it to the side for a more engaging composition.

Experiment with Black and White Photography
Shooting in black and white helps you focus on shapes, textures, and patterns, giving you a new way to view your composition. While fine art photography can definitely be in color, switching your camera to a black and white preview can help you see how the elements of your image work together. Even if you shoot in RAW to preserve color, using a black and white filter during the shoot can give you a fresh perspective.

How to Write an Artist’s Statement
Writing an artist’s statement might seem a bit unnecessary or overly formal to some, but it can actually be a helpful way to add depth to your fine art photography. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated—just a short explanation of the intent behind a specific piece or photo series. When writing, make sure to include the title of your work, what it means to you, what inspired it, and maybe even some insight into your technical process. It gives viewers a bit more context and can make your work more relatable.

7Artisans new Macro Lens

7Artisans recently announced its new 60mm f/2.8 macro lens for full-frame cameras, featuring a 2:1 magnification ratio for capturing extreme close-ups. Unlike typical macro lenses that offer 1:1 or even 0.5:1 magnification, this 60mm lens allows for detailed, larger-than-life images with a minimum focusing distance of 0.17 meters (6.7 inches). It’s a fully manual lens, meaning focus and aperture are adjusted directly on the lens barrel. The aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/22, using a nine-blade diaphragm for smoother bokeh effects.

The lens has a 14-element, 12-group optical design, including two extra-low dispersion elements and two high-refraction elements aimed at minimizing aberrations. Weighing in at about 550 grams (19.4 ounces) and measuring 109mm (4.3 inches) in length, it accepts 67mm filters.

7Artisans claims the new lens is well-suited for a variety of uses, from flower and insect photography to food, product shots, and even portraits. The company has a reputation for producing good macro lenses, such as its 60mm f/2.8 Macro II for APS-C cameras.

For full-frame photographers, there are various macro lens options, including a 100mm f/2.8 2:1 macro lens released earlier this year by TTArtisan.


The 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 2x Macro Lens is now available for $335 through 7Artisans’ website, Pergear, and will also be listed on B&H. The lens comes in Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts.

A couple Sample Images:

Image credits: 7Artisans

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: Michele Negrini

Congratulations on your luck:)

You can find him on Instagram as @michelenegrini_

A few photos of his:

Dont forget to check out the advertisement ⬇️

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Upgrade your news intake with 1440! Dive into a daily newsletter trusted by millions for its comprehensive, 5-minute snapshot of the world's happenings. We navigate through over 100 sources to bring you fact-based news on politics, business, and culture—minus the bias and absolutely free.

ProGrade Digital’s SSD is built for PROs

ProGrade Digital has launched its PG10 SSD series, designed for professionals who need fast and reliable storage for demanding tasks. The new USB 4.0 drives come in 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB capacities, offering read and write speeds up to 2,500 MB/s. However, their standout feature is their sustained write performance, with the 4TB and 8TB models reaching 2,000 MB/s, while the 2TB model delivers 1,500 MB/s.

Key Features

Sustained Performance Focus: Unlike many SSDs that excel at burst speeds, the PG10 series focuses on maintaining high performance over long durations, making it ideal for heavy workflows like large file transfers.

USB4 Interface: With transfer rates up to 40Gbps, these drives are compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2, and USB 3.1 Type-C ports. However, the best performance is achieved with USB4/Thunderbolt 4 connections.

Power Management: A power-sensing circuit, with a helpful LED indicator, lets users know if their host device can provide the recommended 15W of power for optimal performance. While it can work with less, sustained speeds require that power level.

Cooling and Durability

The PG10’s internal design includes a dual heat sink system to keep temperatures down and prevent thermal throttling, ensuring consistent performance. Additionally, the drives are built with durability in mind, being both X-ray and shock-proof.

Design Details

The PG10 comes packaged with a padded case for portability, a one-meter USB4-certified cable, and features ProGrade’s magnetic base, which helps secure the drive on your desk or allows for stacking multiple units.

Wes Brewer, ProGrade’s CEO, highlighted the brand's commitment to high-performance, professional-grade storage solutions. He emphasized that the PG10 series expands their portfolio into SSDs with a focus on sustained speeds, reliability, and a unique cooling system, targeting professionals with heavy data workflows.

Pricing and Availability

  • 2TB: $399.99

  • 4TB: $799.99

  • 8TB: $1,399.99

All models come with a three-year warranty and include ProGrade’s Refresh Pro software to maintain peak performance over time. The PG10 series is available directly from ProGrade and will soon be listed with other retailers.

Image credits: Pro Grade

AI Versions of YOU might appear on your Instagram

At Meta’s Connect event, Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, revealed a new feature that could bring AI-generated images directly into users' Facebook and Instagram feeds. While some people may find the idea unsettling, what makes it even more intriguing (or eerie) is that these AI images might represent the users themselves.

This development is an expansion of Meta’s existing “Imagine Me” feature, which lets users create AI selfies based on their photos. With this new update, users might start seeing “Imagined for You” images in their feeds—AI-generated pictures based on their own likeness, which they can quickly share or refresh for a new creation. According to The Verge, these AI images could be fantastical scenes, like "an enchanted realm" or whimsical versions of users, such as being portrayed as royalty or an astronaut.

Meta’s spokesperson, Amanda Felix, emphasized that these AI images featuring users will only appear if they have opted into the “Imagine Yourself” feature by uploading photos and agreeing to its terms. Users will also have the option to remove AI images from their feeds if they prefer.

Meta’s "Imagine Me" feature initially launched in July and is already integrated across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and the web. In addition to expanding AI-generated images, Meta is rolling out more personalization options, like the ability to change chat themes in private conversations.

At the same event, Meta also announced new technology that can fully recreate influencers as AI figures, enabling users to interact with them as if they were real. While there’s no official release date for this feature yet, Zuckerberg also showcased "Orion," Meta’s prototype for augmented reality (AR) glasses. These glasses, which Zuckerberg describes as “the most advanced” AR technology to date, are still in development with no set release timeline but are expected to be Meta's first consumer-grade full holographic AR glasses.

The Rest of this Magazine Issue is for Premium Subscribers ONLY

BUT —> Everyone can now become a Premium Subscriber for Free

The Premium Version of this Magazine is now on a ‘‘Name a fair price’’ model. Meaning you get to decide what this fair price is for you.

And yes, you could choose to pay $0 and get the Premium Version Completely For Free.

Unlock the Premium Version with the Button down below and get lots of exciting Premium benefits: