Category Archives: Photography

What is aperture in photography? The term aperture refers to the opening of a lens’ diaphragm – essentially a hole through which light passes to reach the camera. By changing your aperture, you can change and control how much light enters the camera sensor from your lens.

Key to understanding what is aperture in photography, you need to know that the size of the opening is calibrated in “stops” of light – also known as f-stops (more on f-stops here) and this numerical value also describes the ratio of a lens’ focal length (the “f”) to the diameter of the opening.

Each successive stop is half as bright as its predecessor – which is a bit confusing, so a larger f-number actually means a smaller aperture. Thus f/2 is half as bright as f/1.4, f/2.8 is half as bright as f/2, and so on.

Aperture is one of the three fundamental pillars of the exposure triangle, (the other two being shutter speed and ISO), and it helps to be familiar with how these three elements come together to make up a correct exposure.

What is aperture in photography: the physical side

The concept of aperture can at first be tricky to grasp, but the physical side is simple!

An aperture itself (the opening) is formed by intersecting blades. Different lenses have a different number of blades, and these can move to make the opening larger or smaller depending on the f-stop that you select.

The aperture assembly is located in the barrel of the lens, between the lens elements. A motor opens and closes the aperture each time the shutter is fired. This matches the f-stop set by you on your camera, and the focal length used.

What happens when you change the aperture?

Most lenses use a standard scale of f-stops to indicate the size of the aperture, although as we’ve already mentioned, each lens will have a determined aperture range depending on its design. For example, the best portrait lenses tend to have a wider maximum aperture, along with fast prime lenses.

There are two reasons why you’d want to change the aperture; to let in more or less light for your exposure, and to control the depth of field. A wider aperture will let in more light and give you a more shallow depth of field, while a narrow aperture lets in less light but means more of a scene will be in sharp focus.

The cheat sheet above explains when and why you would use narrow and wide apertures, either to let in more light to the sensor in low-light conditions or to use depth of field creatively to blur the background of your image.

Aperture explained at a glance

• Aperture is calibrated in f-stops.

• A smaller, narrower opening gives more depth of field.

• An aperture of f/22 is narrower than f/4.

• Your maximum or widest aperture is determined by your lens.

• The diameter of the aperture is focal length divided by the aperture value. So the diameter of an f/4 setting on a 100mm lens is 25mm (100mm divided by four). The diameter of an f/4 setting on a 28mm lens is 7mm (28mm divided by four).

Use the handy cheat sheet above to see this all for yourself. And make sure to keep us bookmarked for more great photography cheat sheets, along with all our general photography tips

Following Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain Fall/Winter 2023 runway presentation during Paris Fashion Week last March, which paid tribute to the Maison’s 78-year-old legacy, a seasonal campaign has emerged, showcasing the richly layered creations of Brazilian photographer Rafael Pavarotti.

Rousteing recalls the decisions made to create a more intimate atmosphere for the show. “By limiting the number of invitees, we allowed each guest the opportunity to better appreciate, close-up, just how our atelier’s impressive craftsmanship made possible the collection’s many surprising, fresh and modern spins on our founder’s signature silhouettes and this house’s most cherished codes.”

With a lineup that skillfully balanced structured cuts and sensual lines, bursts of color and moments of monochromatic serenity, as well as refined and sharp details, it was foreseeable that Balmain would continue this narrative in its seasonal campaign. In the editorial, the focus is on the sartorial exploration of luxurious materials, skilled artisans and the timeless craftsmanship of the house, all complemented by Pavarotti’s masterful use of light, color and texture.

Developing the concept for this “New French Style”-inspired campaign was, according to Pavarotti,” a deeply creative experience,” leading him to add, “By highlighting Balmain’s heritage, we were able to create something different, beautiful and timeless. I couldn’t be happier with the results.”

Explore the iconic campaign in the gallery above.

In other fashion news, CLOT and NEIGHBORHOOD’s cultural heritages collide in a new collaboration.

For years, the name Pentax was synonymous with rugged, dependable camera technology. Their strong suits, like weather-sealed bodies and innovative in-body stabilization features, made them a favorite among photographers who sought both quality and a bit of an underdog edge. However, as digital photography and camera technology have advanced, Pentax seems to have been left behind.

Technological Stagnation

Lack of Mirrorless Options
It’s no secret that mirrorless technology has revolutionised photography. Offering lighter and more compact bodies, faster shutter speeds, and more robust video capabilities, mirrorless is the present and future of photography. Canon, Nikon, and Sony have all embraced this with open arms, offering a range of mirrorless options for both amateur and professional photographers. Pentax’s reluctance to step into the mirrorless market feels less like brand identity and more like a refusal to adapt.

Outdated Autofocus
Autofocus technology is a critical factor for modern photography and is where we’ve seen the most innovation within mirrorless camera technology. Whether capturing a split-second moment in sports or nailing focus on a subject’s eyes in portrait photography, autofocus can make or break a photo. Companies like Sony and Canon have significantly advanced in this area with eye-tracking and animal detection features. Pentax, however, has not kept pace. The result is an autofocus system that often struggles in conditions where competitors excel.

Sensor Technology
The advancements in sensor technology are among the most compelling improvements in modern cameras. From greater dynamic range to superior low-light performance, the sensor is the heart of any camera. Unfortunately, Pentax’s sensor offerings have not seen any groundbreaking developments in recent years. Brands like Sony are pushing the envelope with stacked sensor technologies, leaving Pentax trailing in the dust.

Video Capabilities
Today’s photographers often wear many hats, and videography is an increasingly important skill. Many wedding photographers, for instance, as asked for both video and stills. For the jobbing photographer, video is becoming an important deliverable. Pentax’s video capabilities, however, have not received the attention they deserve. Limited to basic frame rates and resolutions, and with questionable autofocus during video, Pentax is not suitable for serious video work. In contrast, even entry-level mirrorless cameras from other brands offer 4K video and advanced stabilisation.

Limited Lens and Accessory Options

First and Third-Party Lens Availability
As the adage goes, “You don’t just invest in a camera; you invest in a system.” The lens ecosystem for Pentax is far from thriving. Major third-party manufacturers are hesitant to release Pentax-compatible lenses, which restricts the creative potential for Pentax users. When your lens choices are limited, so are your photographic possibilities.

Accessory Ecosystem
Beyond lenses, the array of available accessories like battery grips, external flashes, and other add-ons is equally important. Here, too, Pentax falls short. The lack of diversity in accessories means you’re often limited to what the brand itself provides, which can’t compare to the plethora of options available for Canon, Nikon, or Sony cameras.

Software and Usability

Infrequent Updates
Firmware updates are an often overlooked, yet crucial aspect of modern photography. They can drastically improve a camera’s performance and extend its lifespan. Pentax’s infrequent firmware updates suggest a lack of commitment to enhancing user experience and keeping their products competitive.

User Experience
Modern cameras are essentially computers with lenses, and the user interface is the operating system. While brands like Fujifilm and Sony are consistently refining their menus and controls for better user experience, navigating a Pentax menu feels archaic, and the lack of touchscreen functionality in many models exacerbates this issue.

Market Presence and Customer Support

Community and Support
Having a community where photographers can share advice, offer troubleshooting tips, and provide feedback is invaluable. Brands like Canon and Sony have massive online communities, as well as regular educational events. Pentax’s community, on the other hand, is dwindling, and the company’s online resources and customer support lag far behind all of its competitors.

Trade-in and Upgrade Programs
Canon, Sony and even Nikon offer trade-in programs that make upgrading easier and less costly. Pentax lacks a similar program, which further discourages brand loyalty. An upgrade path is not just a sales strategy; it’s a sign of a company committed to its user base.

The Counterpoints

Of course, there are still reasons some might choose Pentax. The cameras are often more budget-friendly, and some features like weather sealing are genuinely top-notch. However, these pros are increasingly overshadowed by the long list of cons described above.

Nostalgia and brand loyalty are powerful factors but should not blind us to tangible shortcomings in a rapidly evolving industry.

Photography is more dynamic and competitive than ever. To stay relevant, brands must innovate and adapt to the needs and expectations of photographers. Regrettably, Pentax has failed to do so on multiple fronts, making it difficult for me to recommend the brand in good conscience.

As photographers, our gear is an extension of our creative vision. In a field that’s continuously evolving, we can’t afford to be held back by our tools.

Artist Jeremy Miranda creates beautiful acrylic paintings of amazing landscapes. Jeremy Miranda, a native of Middletown, Rhode Island, was born in 1980. He embarked on his artistic journey and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in painting from Massachusetts College of Art in 2004. His artistic passion centers around exploring memory and the landscape, manifesting his vision through paintings that evolve into intricate spatial realms, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior landscapes.

Currently, Jeremy resides and actively creates art in Southern Maine, sharing his life and creative pursuits with his partner, the talented artist Michelle Morin.

Scroll down and inspire yourself. Please check his Instagram for more amazing work.

You can find Jeremy Miranda on the web:

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Acrylic paintings are a vibrant and versatile form of visual art that employs acrylic paints as the primary medium. Acrylic paints are made from pigments suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion, and they have gained popularity in the art world due to their fast drying time and ability to be used on a variety of surfaces, including canvas, paper, wood, and even fabric.

Acrylic paintings can encompass a wide range of styles and techniques, from abstract and impressionistic to realistic and hyper-realistic. Artists use brushes, palette knives, sponges, or even their fingers to apply acrylic paints to create stunning and expressive works of art. Acrylic paints can be diluted with water to achieve translucent layers or used in a more concentrated form for bold, opaque colors.

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One of the advantages of acrylic paints is their versatility in terms of texture and layering. Artists can build up layers of paint to create depth and texture, and they can also add various mediums to the acrylics to achieve different effects, such as impasto (thick, textured layers) or glazing (thin, translucent layers).

Acrylic paintings have become a popular choice for artists and art enthusiasts alike due to their durability, vibrant colors, and the wide range of creative possibilities they offer. Whether you’re an artist exploring this medium or an art lover appreciating acrylic paintings, they continue to be a captivating and dynamic form of artistic expression.

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Thomson Reuters, Canon, and Starling Lab have successfully completed a pilot program designed to certify the authenticity of digital images in a bid to bolster the integrity of photojournalism and ease public concerns about fake news. This collaborative effort aims to embed trust from the moment a photo is taken to its final publication, ensuring that the news-consuming public can confidently distinguish between genuine and manipulated content.

Reuters integrated a technology framework from Starling Lab to authenticate and preserve the metadata of each image within its picture desk workflow. Starling Lab is an academic research entity based at Stanford and USC, known for its innovation in cryptographic methods and decentralised web protocols.

Rickey Rogers, Global Editor of Reuters Pictures, expressed that trust in news is paramount, especially in the current landscape where technological advancements make it easy to manipulate images. “Trust in news is critical. However, recent technological advancements in image generation and manipulation are causing more people to question what is real, and what is not. Reuters continues to explore new technologies to guarantee that the content we deliver to the world be factual and trusted,” Rogers said.

“Our collaboration with Canon demonstrates the potential for new technology in image verification to increase consumers’ confidence that what they see is genuine. We look forward to sharing the encouraging findings from the project with our customers and applying them to protect our photojournalism. Our goal is to remain one of the most trusted global news sources.”

Canon provided prototype cameras for the pilot, which embed a unique identifier into each photo, alongside the time, date, and location data. This unique hash value is cryptographically signed to establish a foundation of trust for each photograph. Subsequently, the images are registered on a public blockchain, which is updated with each modification by the Reuters pictures desk. This ensures a transparent and traceable record from the moment the photo is taken until its final distribution. To confirm the authenticity of an image, viewers can simply cross-reference its unique hash value on the public blockchain ledger. Reuters photojournalist Violeta Santos Moura tested the Canon prototype camera for this pilot scheme.

Richard Shepherd, Senior Manager of Product Marketing and Marketing Strategy at Canon Europe, noted that Canon is part of the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), and is committed to preserving the integrity of news images. “We understand the role that images play in society and recognize the importance of preserving image authenticity,” Shepherd said.

The pilot represents one of the first practical applications of blockchain and cryptographic technology in news-gathering. Its timely execution coincides with growing consumer skepticism about the credibility of online news, fuelled by advancements in generative AI technologies that can easily create or alter visual content. As the collaboration between Reuters, Canon, and Starling Lab moves ahead, the findings from this pilot project promise to have broad implications for the news industry and public trust.

Cuban artist Jorge Mayet creates stunning miniaturized landscape sculptures. Jorge Mayet, born in Havana, Cuba in 1962, possesses an innate connection to the Caribbean’s enchanting landscapes. Presently, he divides his time between Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Rio de Janeiro.

His artistic oeuvre seamlessly navigates the realms of painting, installations, and sculptures, striving to merge the realm of realism with the boundless realm of poetic imagination. In Mayet’s own words, his installations serve as tangible manifestations of his profound life experiences.

Scroll down and inspire yourself. Please check his Artsy link for more amazing work.

You can find Jorge Mayet on the web:

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Miniature landscape sculptures are exquisite and intricate art forms that capture the beauty and essence of natural landscapes on a small scale. These sculptures are meticulously crafted by artists to replicate various elements of the natural world, including mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, and more.

Artists who create miniature landscape sculptures often employ a variety of materials, such as clay, wood, resin, glass, or metal, to bring their visions to life. They pay careful attention to detail, texture, and color, ensuring that every aspect of the landscape is faithfully recreated in miniature form.

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These sculptures can take on a range of styles, from realistic and highly detailed to abstract and interpretive. Some artists focus on creating specific, recognizable landscapes, while others let their imagination run wild, inventing fantastical and otherworldly terrains.

Miniature landscape sculptures provide viewers with a unique perspective on the natural world, allowing them to appreciate the beauty of nature in a compact and tangible form. These tiny masterpieces often invite viewers to contemplate the intricacies of our planet and inspire a sense of wonder and connection to the larger environment.

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