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The Latest News:

‘Darktable’ The Free Photo Editor Got an Update

cc: Darktable

Darktable 5.0.0 is here, and it’s making waves as a game-changer for free photo editing. Known as the open-source alternative to Adobe Lightroom, Darktable has always been packed with features, but its steep learning curve has held some users back. This latest version is all about flipping the script with fresh tools, smoother performance, and a friendlier interface.

The standout addition is the new Diffusion module, which brings analog film effects like lens blur, halation, and blooming to digital photos. If you’ve been chasing that warm, cinematic vibe, this tool is a must-try. The update also improves the Color Balance RGB module, making color grading more precise and transitions smoother. Speed and stability have taken a big step up, so working with large libraries or high-res files is now faster and less frustrating.

On top of that, the Retouch module has sharper clone and heal tools, the Tone Equalizer offers more control over exposure, and the interface feels cleaner and easier to navigate. It’s free to download now, and you can dive into all the details on their website or GitHub.

Fujifilm Firmware Update

Fujifilm has rolled out firmware updates for five of its cameras, focusing on better autofocus accuracy and tracking. The updated cameras now run the following versions: GFX100S II (1.10), X-T5 (4.10), X-S20 (3.10), X-T50 (1.10), and X100VI (1.20). No other improvements were included, but all updates are ready to download from Fujifilm’s firmware site.

Recent updates also brought F-Log2 C, time code sync, and better autofocus to the GFX100 II, X-H2S, and X-H2, while older models like the X-Pro2, X-T2, X-T20, X-E3, and X100F received bug fixes.

What we definitely can say is: Fujifilm’s commitment to supporting even aging cameras remains impressive.

Blackmagic’s IOS App

Blackmagic Camera 2.2 for iOS brings major upgrades, enhancing its role as a bridge between smartphones and professional filmmaking. The free app emulates Blackmagic camera interfaces, offering features like ProRes and Blackmagic RAW recording, focus peaking, false color, and 4K resolutions. It also integrates with Blackmagic Cloud for direct uploads to DaVinci Resolve projects.

The key update in version 2.2 is support for controlling Pyxis 6K cameras remotely. Users can adjust focus, white balance, frame rate, and shutter angle from their phones, ideal for setups with hard-to-reach cameras or multicamera shoots. The app also adds drag-select for managing media clips, saving time on routine tasks like organizing and uploading footage.

Best part? It’s still free on the App Store.

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Photographer Spotlight

Discover amazing photographers

This week in the Spotlight:

Olaf Lafiaji

You can find him on Instagram: @snapsbyolaf

A few photos of his:

Weekly Photo Analysis

Welcome to a new addition to the magazine: the weekly photo analysis, where I will analyse a photo and talk about the composition, lighting what’s positive, what’s negative etc. so that you can learn and better your own photography from it ;)

This weeks photo by: Tom

You can find him on Instagram as: @bewaremyfuji

Lets analyse it:

Composition:

  • What Works:

    • Where They Are: The people are placed nicely on the left, following the rule of thirds, which makes the photo feel balanced and draws your eye right into the action.

    • Foreground: Using the car roof as a stage is clever, adding depth and setting a scene that feels spontaneous.

    • Storytelling: The way one person is touching the other/giving them something tells a story of connection or adventure, which makes the viewer curious.

  • Could Be Better:

    • Distractions: There's a car side mirror in the corner that sticks out a bit so this could be cropped out/or been avoided in the first place.

    • Balance: The right side feels a bit empty compared to the left (only a little). Maybe adding something interesting or adjusting the shot could have filled this space a little better

Lighting:

  • What Works:

    • Color: That pink sky does wonders; it's warm, romantic, and sets a dreamy mood.

    • Silhouettes: The way the light hits from behind, turning the couple into silhouettes, is spot on.

  • Could Be Better:

    • Brightness: The sky might be a tad too bright, stealing focus from our main subjects. A bit of tweaking with filters/editing could balance this out.

    • Shadows: A little more detail in the dark parts might give us a better look at our subjects and their without losing that silhouette magic.

Technical Side:

  • Focus: The focus is sharp where it needs to be, but keeping the city in the background sharp too would tie the whole scene together. However one could argue that keeping only the couple sharp is the ideal since that really is the main subject. So depends on your liking.

  • Graininess: There's a bit of grain, probably intentional and added in post. This can give a very ‘‘old school’’/ ‘‘retro’’ /‘‘movie’’/ ‘‘cinematic’’ look which I am a very big fan of and I think fits this image perfectly, however this again depends on who you ask.

Overall Vibe:

  • This photo nails a romantic, intimate feel with its use of colour and light, making you feel like you're peeking into a private intimate moment.

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