Category Archives: Photography

A viral TikTok video showing the moment a solo traveler asked a man to take a picture of her in front of an erupting volcano has gained attention for all the wrong reasons.

Katie, 25, from London, shared the photos a well-meaning photographer gave her while she was on vacation, which didn’t turn out exactly the way she was expecting. The TikTok about the mishap has over 2.4 million views so far.

Katie headed to Guatemala at the beginning of March during a weeks-long vacation, where she made the trip to see the Fuego Volcano, located near the Acatenango Volcano. The Acatenango stands at 13,041 feet tall and is just 1.5 miles from the Fuego Volcano, which has been erupting since 2002.

“There was a group of 20 of us spending the night together at base camp,” Katie told Newsweek. “We hiked Acatenango Volcano as a group trip organized by our hostel.”

At the top, she asked a man on her trip to take a picture of her in front of the incredible erupting scene. The video overlay text read: “POV: You go solo travelling and ask a man to take a photo of you and a literal erupting volcano.”

But when she shows the picture, it was taken in portrait mode—completely blocking out the erupting volcano in the background.

“The photo inspired my video along with videos from other creators along the lines of ‘taking my untrained boyfriend on holiday’ where they show all the bad photos taken,” Katie explained. “This is how I knew others would relate, it was intended to be lighthearted, funny and relatable.”

In hundreds of comments TikTok users shared their tips for getting a picture taken: “Always ask for a video,” suggested one commenter. “Stand and smile and screenshot later.”

“You can edit the settings to reduce the blur,” suggested another.

© @backpackingbabble/TikTok
Katie asked a man in her group on her solo travels to take a picture of her in front of the erupting volcano—but she didn’t expect the result. @backpackingbabble/TikTok

“My TikTok channel is intended to create relatable content that makes people laugh, along with travel tips, hostel tours and vlogs to inspire new travelers to take the leap and give solo travel a go,” said Katie.

Women are most likely to travel solo, and many enjoy their dream vacations by taking the plunge and heading to far-off locations alone.

Sharing the lighthearted moment she saw the portrait-mode photo, Katie explained that she thought it was hilarious: “I was shocked when I found that he had switched the settings to portrait mode, but found it really funny,” she said. “He said he thought I would look nice, which was sweet.”

Some commenters on the TikTok video said that the traveler was being unfair to the mystery photographer, but she clarified that there was no bad blood about the pictures.

“There were a few negative comments suggesting that I ‘shamed a stranger.’ To clarify, we hiked the volcano together for the entire day and had made friends,” Katie said. “We then spent time together in two more destinations in Guatemala and I had asked about putting it on TikTok at the time. I know plenty of fantastic photographers of all genders.”

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Are you a photographer new to artificial lighting? Unlike shooting in natural light, you have a steep learning curve when transitioning to artificial light. But you have more control when you shoot with studio lights, and you have a plethora of options to light your scene creatively.

Whether you use natural or artificial light, diffusing it is crucial to get natural-looking photos. Let’s discuss how different softboxes impact lighting and how to choose the right one for your studio lighting needs.

What Is a Softbox?

A softbox is a lighting modifier made of white translucent material that will go over your light source. It reduces the light’s intensity and spreads it evenly over a larger area.

Usually, you can place the softbox over your light source attached to a light stand. If you’re new to flash photography, check out this beginner’s guide to studio lighting.

Softboxes come in different shapes, each creating a different look on your subjects. This makes them suitable for different types of subjects, so you need to be mindful of which one you get.

The Different Types of Softboxes

Let’s discuss the different types of softboxes and help you choose one based on your lighting needs, subject, and portability requirements.

Square and Rectangle

Unlike an umbrella you may have seen in studios, the square softbox is entirely closed, more suitable for directing the light toward the subject. In addition, it is easy to set up and mimics the soft natural light diffused through a window.

This popular shape can work for portraits, food, and product photography. Square softboxes come in different sizes and can fold into smaller sizes for easy carrying.

You can get away with using one light and a diffuser setup for food and portraits. However, you may want two lights if you’re doing serious product photography. If you’re new to studio lighting, starting with a square softbox is a good idea.

A rectangular softbox, also called a strip box, works similarly to a square one. You will ideally choose it for full-body images because of its length—square softboxes are more suited to headshots.

Octagonal

Referred to as octa softboxes, these are highly preferred for portraits. Unlike square softboxes, the light fall-off is even in octa softboxes because of the curved design.

They also mimic sunlight more, producing a beautiful round catchlight in the subject’s eyes. Octa boxes are fantastic for food and portrait photography.

Parabolic

As demonstrated with the Godox P120L Parabolic Softbox above, these softboxes look like octa boxes but have more sides and are deeper. As a result, they spread a narrower beam of light compared to octa boxes. They are also heavier and take time to set up.

You can also use the parabolic softbox with lights facing inside so that it can bounce off the reflective coating. This can create more contrast and give your images a different look. Parabolic softboxes can give you some flexibility when you want to try creative lighting for portraits.

Lantern

A lantern softbox looks like a giant light bulb and produces a huge spread of even light, as shown with the Aperture Lantern 90 above. This type is definitely flattering for portraits, but it can also be apt for interior and real estate photos.

Though the light from a lantern softbox is comparable to that of umbrella softboxes, lanterns give a directional and controllable light spill.

Other Things to Consider When Getting a Softbox

Apart from traditional softboxes, there are various accessories you can use to get different effects.

Grid

Also called honeycomb grids, these go over your softbox to avoid light spill and guide it to your subject. The resulting light from a grid is soft yet focussed. It is flattering for portraits and food photos.

Mounts and Brackets

Depending on the type of light and light stand you use, you have to find the right accessory to fit your softbox. For example, if your use a speedlight, you need an S-type bracket holder with a Bowens mount. Talk to your local camera store or do some research online to find out what exactly you need.

Small Softboxes

If you’re using a speedlight on your camera, it is still essential to use a lighting modifier on your flash to soften the light and make it look natural on your subject. The Fotodiox 8×12-inch Flash Softbox shown above is a good example of a small softbox.

You can also get rectangular, round, or octa softboxes that go on top of your flash. These are suitable for event photographers who want to do portraits quickly. It also works for small spaces where you can’t set up a large light stand.

A small softbox is one of the essential gear items you need for taking amazing macro photos if you’re using a speedlight for macro photography.

Use the Right Softbox to Elevate Your Subjects

A light modifier is a critical tool in deciding the look of your photos. There are many types in the market, and knowing the different types of softboxes can help you use the right one to elevate your images. This guide is a good starting point if you’re not sure what you need.

As a photography and film enthusiast, you may be familiar with Polaroid, the iconic instant film brand. They have recently announced the release of a new limited-edition film called Reclaimed Blue 600. The film features a striking blue colour that is achieved through a chemical reaction rather than the use of dye.

Polaroid chemist Brian Slaghuis discovered the new process while testing over 200 different chemicals in search of ways to improve the brand’s film chemistry. The unique blue colour results from an accidental discovery, showcasing Polaroid’s DNA rooted in experimentation and unlocking the unexpected.

Unlike other duochrome or monochrome films that require dye to make the colours stand out, the Reclaimed Blue 600 film’s blue colour results from the chemical process. Polaroid encourages photographers and creators to experiment with the film, embracing its accidental quality and seeing what unique images they can capture.

The Reclaimed Blue 600 film is available for purchase at select retailers and at Polaroid.com for $16.99, €16.99, and £16.99. However, it’s a limited-edition release, so photographers and film enthusiasts should act fast to get their hands on it.

Polaroid has always been associated with innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The release of Reclaimed Blue 600 film marks another milestone for the brand, inspiring creators and photographers worldwide. Polaroid continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with instant film, and this latest release is no exception.

Polaroid’s accidental experimentation has led to the creation of the Reclaimed Blue 600 film, featuring a unique blue colour achieved through a chemical process rather than the use of dye. The film is a limited-edition release, and Polaroid encourages photographers and creators to experiment with it to capture unique images. You can purchase the Reclaimed Blue 600 film at select retailers and at Polaroid.com.

© Provided by Action News 5 Memphis
One of Tyre Nichols’ photographs that showcases his passion for photography.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Tyre Nichols’ life continues to be honored by Memphians―his photography was featured in an exhibition held by Memphis activists on Friday.

The event marked the start of four days dedicated to Nichols’ passion for photography, hosted at Fourth Bluff Park.

The event will run from noon until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at Fourth Bluff Park.

On Sunday, it will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at MARTYR’s Park.

The finale will be held on Monday― it will be a demonstration for police reform outside Memphis City Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Beth Hoffberg, one of the event organizers, says the event is meant to highlight the type of person Nichols was.

“We just want people to remember who he was and why we are fighting for justice,” said Hoffberg.

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Having a stable and reliable tripod to capture the perfect shot is important, and that’s why tripod manufacturer Benro has developed their latest innovation, the Theta and Theta Max tripods.

These intelligent modular travel tripods have auto-levelling, an auto-lock QR ring, and more features to enhance your photographic journey. And now, thanks to their successful Kickstarter campaign, they’re available for purchase.

The Theta and Theta Max tripods combine portability, stability, efficiency, and intelligence. They offer the same stability as a regular tripod but with many extras to assist you in taking the perfect shot with ease.

One of the standout features of the Benro Theta tripod is its automatic levelling. You no longer have to manually adjust the legs as Theta’s legs can be levelled automatically. Theta determines how many legs need to be adjusted simultaneously to reach the level as quickly as possible based on its current levelling status. This saves you time and energy, so you can stay focused on your composition.

But what if you need to adjust the ball head for composition? With the Theta ball head, you can turn it into a platform that is always level. This means you don’t have to worry about whether the framing is horizontal during the shoot, as it is always horizontal. The ball head can quickly switch between full range of free motion and pan & tilt motion. If you tighten the retractable knob on the side of the ball head, the ball head can then only move in the pan and tilt direction, while the roll axis is locked and always remains level with the tripod.

There’s the Benro Theta Max tripod for those who need even more stability and height. With a maximum height of 170cm, it maintains stability while shooting over obstacles or extends to your eye level, so you don’t have to hunch over. The Theta Max tripod has a unique centre column design that allows for zero wasted space while maintaining a round tube design. The centre column is trigonous, which means the contour of a round tube is divided into three equal concave parts – forming three inner arcs. This design allows Benro to keep the leg tubes round without compromising on size, ensuring greater stability.

Both the Benro Theta and Theta Max tripods are incredibly easy to use. Rapid leg deployment and retraction, camera mounting, dismounting, and precise control of camera movement are all smooth and fast. Plus, the anti-slip mechanism ensures your gear stays safe even if you forget to lock the foot completely or if the leg slides accidentally.

Benro understands that photographers and videographers have different needs, so they’ve created swappable smart modules to expand functionality. For instance, the Camera Control Module allows control of your camera from up to 150 feet away. You can set shutter speed, aperture, ISO, access live preview, and trigger the shutter from your smartphone to capture video or take photos. And the Optical Matrix Sensor module is the perfect assistant for time-lapse shooting. It detects ambient light in real time, enabling the camera control module to combine sensor inputs with advanced algorithms to dynamically adjust exposure settings.

The Theta tripods are not just any ordinary tripod. They’re smart, modular, and designed to make your photographic journey smoother and more efficient. With their successful Kickstarter campaign and glowing reviews from photographers and videographers alike, there’s no doubt that the Theta and Theta Max tripods are the perfect tools to elevate your photography game.

If you want to find out more about these innovative new tripods from Benro then check out the information on the company’s Benro Theta Kickstarter campaign

Photographer Tomasz Przychodzień captured the shapes, lines, and textures of Karakoram Range mountains. The Karakoram is a mountain range in Kashmir region spanning the borders of Pakistan, China, and India, with the northwest extremity of the range extending to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Most of the Karakoram mountain range falls under the jurisdiction of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is controlled by Pakistan. Its highest peak (and world’s second-highest), K2, is located in Gilgit-Baltistan.

“The vertical walls of Trango Group are a dream of every climber and mountain lover. In 2019 and 2021 I visited the Karakoram Range to find out why. It turned out to be also a landscape of the photographer’s dream. My dream. Shapes, lines, textures never ceased to amaze me. I could forever stare at those rocky sculptures. Endless photographic inspiration, each second giving me a chance to capture it in a different way. The decision to move forward to the next camp was one of the hardest during both expeditions. Leaving home is never easy.”

You can find Tomasz Przychodzień on the web:

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Few facts about myself: I’m a self-taught photographer specializing in photographing mountain landscapes. I do mostly black and white portraits of hills, rocks, and other forms of uneven landscapes. Sometimes I teach people how to photograph it better. My kind of photography is not popular even though I won quite a lot of awards. I don’t like social media. I try not to follow current trends in search of likes and praise (but as a photographer, I still need to publish my photos on FB/IG – funny, huh?). I got my favorite quote that says a lot about the way I think about photography: “Want to see pretty images? Well, shoot them yourself” – Jerzy Piątek. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do all my life. I like my images, you don’t have to, but if you do – thanks! Appreciate it.

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I always wanted to photograph the highest mountains, so I chose Everest first. During the planning phase, it turned out that Everest is a pretty ugly mountain. I didn’t like it at all! I had to look elsewhere. Then I saw an image of Trango Towers by Doug Koufsky and was amazed. I instantly knew it was the place to go. When I saw the other summits on the way to K2 – I was awestruck. It is compared to nothing I have seen before. Extremely pointed peaks, and rugged lunar landscapes – I fell in love at the first sight. Even though the Trango Group was only one of the places I passed on my way to K2, it became my favorite place on the trek. Spending several days there was the best photography experience of my life. 5*, highly recommended!

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I have another kid now, and it’s more difficult to leave home for a 3-week photo expedition. But seriously – after visiting Pakistan twice, I felt a great need to explore Karakoram better. Before I paid my first visit there, I thought I wanted to see all of the beautiful places: New Zealand, Patagonia, the Himalayas, Iceland, etc. I realized I was wrong. What I wanted was just a quick road trip. What’s the point of seeing everything if you can’t stop for a long while and enjoy it? Now I believe it is more valuable to get to know one place well enough to be able to call it home. I’m sure I will be coming back till I have enough strength to face all the challenging aspects of a Karakoram expedition. I’m pretty sure I’ll have quite a lot of time to do it. With the current development of new technologies, in my 60’s I’ll most probably be wearing a powerful exoskeleton to support my body. Or well… maybe I’ll just become lazy and ask AI to do my job.

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Nobody forces you to make your dreams a reality, but I guess it’s worth the effort. If you’re fit to do something challenging, you better do it before you won’t be able to.

I think you’ve heard enough, so let’s see some images. Or wait – if you’d like to join me in Karakoram – feel free to shoot me an email, FB/IG DM, etc. Cheers!

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