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The Latest News:

The New SG-image AF 25mm f/1.8 Lens

SG-image just announced a new budget-friendly 25mm f/1.8 autofocus lens for APS-C cameras, coming in Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts for $69. It’s a compact lens with fast autofocus, fast aperture, and a classic 25mm focal length, which translates to roughly 40mm in full-frame terms. That’s a pretty sweet all-around focal length, especially for street photography, casual portraits, and day-to-day shooting.

The build is solid too. SG-image has opted for a full metal barrel, and inside you’ll find seven glass elements arranged in five groups. Autofocus is driven by an STM stepping motor, which should offer decent performance for stills and maybe even some light video work, though we’ll have to wait for real-world tests to see just how “fast and accurate” it really is. The lens has a 9-blade diaphragm, which paired with the f/1.8 aperture should help produce smooth, rounded bokeh, assuming the optics hold up. SG-image is also pitching it as a solid choice for close-up shots, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters.

Physically, the lens is small and light — just 32mm long and weighing 145 grams — making it a great match for compact mirrorless bodies. It even comes with a square lens hood and a USB-C port for firmware updates, which is a thoughtful touch at this price. Right now the lens is China only, however worldwide shipping should start soon.

Sandmarc’s Star Filter For Mobile Photographers

Sandmarc has dropped a new Star Filter for iPhones. Designed with mobile photographers in mind, the filter lets you create dramatic multi-point starbursts from direct light sources like streetlights, headlights, or studio bulbs. It’s adjustable too, you can dial in anywhere from four to eight points of light depending on how bold you want the effect to be.

The appeal here is that everything happens in-camera, with no post-processing or AI tricks involved. That means instant results you can show off on set or post immediately. The build itself is lightweight at just 35 grams, with a 60mm aluminium frame and a multi-coated 43mm glass element for optical clarity. It clips right onto your iPhone using Sandmarc’s standard mounting system, and it works with their wide, telephoto, and anamorphic lenses too.

You can also mount it to Sandmarc’s iPhone cases or use the included clip for standalone attachment, which makes it compatible with older iPhones and most Android phones as well. The Star Filter is available to pre-order for $90 and should start shipping in mid-June.

You can see full details on Sandmarc’s website here

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Weekly Photo Technique Exploration

Welcome to a new section of the magazine where every week we will explore a new photography technique from across various photography genres.

This week’s technique: Low Key Lighting

What is Low Key Lighting?

Last week we talked about high key lighting. Today, let’s talk low key: low key lighting is all about using minimal light to highlight just the parts of your subject that matter, everything else fades into shadow. It creates deep blacks and rich contrast. You’ve probably seen low key lighting in film noir, dramatic portraits, edgy fashion editorials, and even some still life or product shots before.

When does it work well?

Low key lighting is perfect when you want your photo to feel:

• Mysterious or intense

• Elegant and dramatic

• Serious, moody, or artistic

• Focused (like all attention is on one thing)

It’s especially powerful for portraits, black & white street work, nude or body-form photography, and even concert or performance shots.

How to Shoot Low Key Photography

You don’t need fancy equipment, just a light source you can control and a dark background or environment. Here's the general idea:

1. Kill the ambient light

The less stray light in your space, the better. Turn off overheads, cover windows, shoot at night → whatever it takes to get a darker environment.

2. Use one main light source

One light is often enough. Could be a strobe, a continuous LED, or even a window with the blinds cracked. Keep the light directional (coming from the side, above, or behind) so it carves out shapes and shadows. You don’t want light bouncing everywhere. You want control.

3. Position your subject in the shadows

Only light what you want the viewer to see. Everything else? Let it fade into black. That might mean lighting just half the face or letting most of the body fall into shadow.

4. Dark background, dark wardrobe

Make sure the background isn’t picking up stray light. A black curtain, dark wall, or even shooting into an unlit space works. And if your subject wears black or deep tones, they’ll blend in nicely, letting the light really pop where you want it.

5. Camera settings

• Keep your ISO low to avoid noise in those dark areas.

• Use a fast shutter speed to avoid ambient light creeping in.

• Aperture depends on the look you want—f/2.8 for shallow depth, f/8 if you want more sharpness.

• Meter for the highlights, let the shadows go dark.

Doing It Outdoors

Yes, you can go low key outdoors too. Here’s how:

• Wait for blue hour or nighttime.

• Find a single light source, like a streetlamp, a neon sign, or even a car’s headlights.

• Again: expose for the light, not the shadows. Let everything else drop off into blackness.

• Shoot in an alleyway or a spot with heavy directional shadows.

Creating Low Key in Post

If your photo isn’t quite dark or contrasty enough out of camera, editing can help get you there of course.

• Drop the exposure or black point overall.

• Increase contrast and deepen shadows.

• Use brushes or masks to selectively darken parts of the frame.

• Desaturate or go black & white to add even more mood.

• Optionally add vignette or burn the edges to guide the viewer’s eye.

Final Thoughts

Low key lighting is not about taking dark photos, it’s about directing focus. You’re literally sculpting with light, revealing just enough and letting the rest fall away. It takes some experimentation, but once you get the hang of it, it opens up a whole new layer of emotional depth in your photography.

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