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Polaroid’s New Cameras

Polaroid just dropped the Now Generation 3 and Now+ Generation 3 instant cameras, and if you’re into instant photography, these bring some solid improvements. The main promise? Sharper photos in all kinds of lighting conditions, plus a few tweaks to make shooting easier.

The Now Generation 3 is Polaroid’s classic analog instant camera, sticking to that familiar, retro vibe but with some smart upgrades. Compared to the previous version, it’s got a better light meter, an improved ranging sensor, and an upgraded two-lens autofocus system. That should mean more accurate exposures and sharper shots, even when the lighting isn’t perfect. There’s a built-in tripod mount, it works with filters, and it has self-timer and double-exposure modes. Plus, Polaroid made it with 40% recycled materials, so it’s a little more eco-friendly.

It has six aperture settings, ranging from f/11 to f/64, and uses optical-grade PC and acrylic lenses. Autofocus works in two fixed zones—one for close-ups (0.4 to 1.3 meters) and one for everything else (one meter to infinity). It weighs about 450 grams (15.8 ounces) and works with Polaroid i-Type and 600 film. You can grab it in six colors—Graphite, Purple, Arctic Blue, Yellow, Pebble, and Coral—for $120.

If you want a little extra tech, the Now+ Generation 3 is basically the same camera but with Bluetooth, so you can connect it to the Polaroid app and control it from your phone. It also has a built-in rechargeable battery that charges via USB-C, which is a nice touch. That version comes in four colors and costs $140, so you're paying a $20 premium for the app connectivity.

As for film, Polaroid i-Type comes in both color and black and white, starting at $16.99 per pack (eight shots). If you buy a triple pack, you save a buck per pack. The 600 film, which has its own built-in battery (not needed for these cameras), is $19.99 per pack.

Overall, if you’re into instant photography, these cameras keep that classic Polaroid charm while making sure your shots actually turn out better.

Image credits: Polaroid

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Interview with Andy Vitali

This week’s Interview with Andy Vital, a very talented Photographer based in Toronto!

You can find him on Instagram as: @andyvitali

Enjoy the amazing Interview ;)

Andy, can you tell my readers about yourself?

I'm Andy. I was born in Milan, Italy, but I spent ten years living in the Alps before recently moving to Toronto, Canada. The contrast between these places has shaped a lot of how I see the world and, by extension, how I approach photography.

Besides photography, music is a huge part of my life. I'm a songwriter and producer, and I see a lot of similarities between creating music and capturing images—both are about composition, rhythm, and emotion.

How did you get into street photography or photography in general?

I’ve been fascinated by photography since I was about 14 years old. I started by playing around with an old Olympus compact camera, just experimenting without really knowing what I was doing.

When I was 20, I discovered my dad’s Olympus OM-2, a classic film camera. That’s when I really started learning the fundamentals of photography—shutter speed, aperture, ISO. Film photography forces you to be deliberate because you can’t just take a hundred shots and delete the bad ones. It helped me develop a more intentional approach. I always carried a camera on my trips and vacations, capturing whatever caught my eye, but street photography only became a real passion in 2018. That was when I started going out specifically to document life as it unfolds, rather than just capturing memories. Since then, it’s become an obsession.

You live in Toronto, how do you deal with tough weather conditions and what preperations do you take before going out to shoot?

Honestly? I love tough weather conditions. If the weather is too nice, it often makes for boring photos. Rain, fog, snow—these elements add drama, mood, and depth to an image. Some of my favorite shots have come from braving the worst conditions.

Of course, it's not always comfortable. Preparation is key:

• Protecting the camera – I use a plastic bag taped around the lens hood to keep my gear dry. Simple but effective.

• Dressing properly – Warm, waterproof clothing is a must in Toronto’s winter. Layers are your best friend.

• Gloves – You need something that keeps your hands warm but still lets you operate the camera.

• Shooting mindset – When you're freezing, it’s easy to rush, but you need to stay focused and take your time to get the shot.

In your opinion what are some qualities for a good photographer?

You need to train your eye, meaning the ability to compose the picture in original or more professional or cinematic way. And the readiness to get the shot when a banger appears before your eyes. Sometimes it's just a metter of luck. But sometimes you need to be very patient.

What gear do you use ?

I use a LumixG9 mainly with a 25mm f1.7, an Olympus 45mm f1.8 and 40-150mm R.

In my bag there are a Sigma 16mm f1.4, a Sigma 60mm, a Laowa 7.5mm F2 as well. And sometimes for videos I use some vintage Olympus lenses.

What editing software do you use and how much time do you spend editing?

II use Lightroom for most of my edits. My workflow is pretty fast—I spend about 5-10 minutes per shot if I’m starting from scratch.

If I need to do heavy retouching, like removing cables or distractions, I’ll take it into Photoshop, but I don’t do that often. I like to keep things natural.

What makes or brakes a photo?

It could be the right framing, some light or colour details in the picture. The right subject. Especially when all these things are in the shot.

Usually what ruins my shots are either autofocus issues or the lack of the things I've mentioned before.

How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue creating new and unique photographs?

I guess watching other photographers' works, learning from the ones that I like to keep myself motivated or try new little things to use in my shots. And shooting new places or with different angles.

How can you convey a specific mood or emotion through a photograph?

this is a thing that it's hard to explain. The thing that fascinates me is the ability to capture moments in time. The rest comes afterwards.

What’s your dream city to shoot in?

Tokyo. The mix of neon lights, motion, and culture is unbeatable.

How did you find your photography/editing style?

I took a lot of inspiration mainly from Peter McKinnon, watching his tutorials in 2018. Then from other photographers like Mindzeye, Jude Allen, Alen Palander, Nick Millers and others and then developed something mine probably. When I was younger one of my hero was Storm Thorgerson and wanted to take Album covers.

Do you listen to music while shooting?

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Excire Foto Office Edition

Pattern Recognition Company just launched Excire Foto Office Edition, an AI-powered digital asset management tool designed for businesses and teams that need to work with shared databases. If you’re already familiar with Excire Foto, you know it started as a Lightroom plug-in and eventually evolved into a full-blown AI-driven file management system. It’s designed to take the hassle out of organizing, sorting, and culling photos, and now it’s stepping into the world of team collaboration.

Earlier this year, Excire Foto rolled out smart culling, better facial recognition, improved search, and automatic AI keywording. The AI also helps photographers quickly pick out the best images based on sharpness, composition, and whether subjects have their eyes open. Its X-tetics AI engine even analyzes composition, content, and exposure to rate images. Plus, it can recognize facial features like age and gender and tag locations using GPS data. Most of these features work for video files too.

With the new Office Edition, all of those AI tools are now packed into a system designed for teams. Businesses that need to collaborate on photo and video projects—like marketing agencies, PR firms, museums, and libraries—can now access shared databases with network support, role-based security, and multi-user functionality. PRC describes it as a “no-cloud, on-premise” solution, which means files stay secure and under full control. The software allows teams to set up user roles and permissions, share files via FTP, and manage licenses and user access centrally.

According to PRC’s managing director Mathias Martinetz, the demand for a team-based photo management solution has been growing, and this version is built for smaller teams that want a cost-effective alternative to massive enterprise-level asset management systems. The big advantage here is combining Excire’s AI tools with a shared, centralized database, which should dramatically speed up workflows.

Excire Foto Office Edition is available now through either a monthly or annual subscription. The monthly plan costs $39.90 per user, but there’s a launch discount dropping it to $29.90. If you need more than two licenses, additional seats are just $9.90 per month. The annual plan runs $399 per user, but the launch discount brings it down to $289 per user, with extra licenses costing $99 per year. There’s also a 14-day trial if you want to test it out first.

Photo Analysis

Welcome to the new part of the Magazine Issue where we take a closer look at a photo and analyse it so that you can learn and better your own photography from it ;)

Photo by: anskar.lenzen

Let’s Analyse this Image

Composition

• What works well:

  • The zebras are positioned perfectly in the frame, with their bodies creating a nice ‘‘optical’’ illusion—at first glance, it almost looks like one zebra with two heads.

  • The use of negative space in the upper part of the image gives it a minimalist feel, making the zebras stand out even more, done very well!

  • The slight asymmetry in their positioning keeps the image dynamic rather than feeling too staged.

• What could be better:

  • The ground at the bottom is a little cluttered compared to the rest of the image. A slight crop or a shallower depth of field could soften the foreground.

  • The zebras’ legs slightly blend into the dusty mist, which adds atmosphere but also makes them feel a bit disconnected from the ground. A slight contrast boost in that area might help.

Lighting

• What works well:

  • The soft, diffused lighting creates a moody, dreamy atmosphere, which works beautifully with the mist.

  • The lighting makes the zebras’ stripes pop, making them stand out against the pale background.

  • Shadows are subtle but effective, adding just enough depth without making the image feel too harsh.

• What could be better:

  • The highlights in the upper part of the image are very bright, almost blending into pure white. While this adds to the ethereal feel, bringing back a tiny bit of detail in the sky could create a better balance.

  • A bit more directional light might add an extra sense of depth, though that’s more of a creative choice than a flaw.

Color and Mood

• What works well:

  • The very muted, almost monochrome colour palette enhances the surreal, and sort of peaceful mood of the image.

  • The contrast between the zebras’ dark stripes and the misty background makes them pop beautifully as said.

  • The dusty, desaturated tones add a raw, natural feel that fits well with the environment.

• What could be better:

  • The foreground has a bit of a brownish tint, which slightly clashes with the cooler tones in the rest of the image. Adjusting the color balance to be more cohesive could help.

  • The mist creates a soft transition to the background, but a subtle gradient in tone might make the depth even stronger.

Story and Emotion

• What works well:

  • The zebras’ posture feels protective, almost as if they’re standing guard for each other. It creates a strong emotional connection.

  • The illusion created by their overlapping bodies adds a layer of curiosity and intrigue—viewers might do a double take to fully understand the scene. Always a good bonus!

• What could be better:

  • The image is already strong emotionally, but including another element—like maybe third zebra slightly out of focus in the background—could add even more depth. However would the focus point then suffer? Maybe.

  • A slightly lower angle might make the zebras feel even more majestic and dominant in the frame.

Photography Tip of the Week

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Photographer of the Week

Photographer of the week goes to: Moon and Tides

You can find him on Instagram as: @the_moon_and_tides

A few of his images:

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Sigma’s Sensor Dilemma

Sigma has been working on a full-frame Foveon sensor for almost a decade now, and it still feels like we’re stuck in a loop of delays and cautious optimism. When asked for an update, Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki confirmed that the project is still alive, but it’s been taking way longer than expected. Every time they create a prototype, new technical issues pop up, slowing things down even more.

Yamaki didn’t give a definitive answer on whether Sigma will actually release a camera with this elusive sensor, simply saying, “We will do our best.” That’s not exactly the confident reassurance fans were hoping for, but it’s also not a hard no. This update feels a lot like the one he gave in 2024, when Sigma was expecting a new prototype to be ready mid-year with previous issues fixed.

At the time, Yamaki highlighted two major challenges: a new pixel architecture and an entirely new manufacturing process. The pixel architecture wasn’t the biggest hurdle, but the manufacturing side was a different story. Based on his latest comments, it sounds like the new prototype didn’t arrive problem-free, and there hasn’t been any major breakthrough since then.

Sigma first announced its full-frame Foveon project in 2016, and to their credit, they’ve been pretty open about the struggles. Yamaki has been unusually transparent compared to most camera company executives, acknowledging that many photographers are waiting patiently but also admitting he can’t guarantee mass production will happen anytime soon.

The big question is whether a Foveon sensor still has a place in today’s camera world. The last time we saw one, it had serious drawbacks: high power consumption, a heavy reliance on processing power, and clunky proprietary software. But technology has improved a lot since then—battery life is better, processors are more powerful, and Foveon finally supports DNG files, eliminating one of its biggest usability headaches.

Image credits: Sigma

The Rest of this Issue is for Premium Subscribers

The Premium Version of this Magazine is now on a ‘‘Pay What you Want’’ model. Meaning you get to decide the price.