The Photography News Podcast

In this episode of The Photography News Podcast, we throw off the shackles of winter and take to the blossoming outdoors. Yes, it’s time to talk about Spring wildlife. The PN team shares its tips on what lenses you need for dramatic frame-filling shots, how to find subjects close to home, how to improve your focusing technique and loads more. Elsewhere, check out how to attend our exciting Photo24 event in London this coming June, while Will delves into a new project on focus stacking sea shells and Kingsley battles a malfunctioning flash system. Plus, get the lowdown on shooting sharper images with expert fault-finding advice; find out what a gimbal can bring to your long-lens work; and get some great tips on buying a set of fast prime lenses from the resident experts at MPB.com. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

With Panasonic and OM Digital Solutions both launching new models with Micro Four Thirds sensors, it was high time for the Photography News team to have a big debate about the small digital format. What do they think of the GH6 and the OM-1? Does the format have a bright future? What are its key benefits? All these questions and many more are answered as the team lock horns in the Big Micro Four-Thirds Debate. Elsewhere on the podcast, Kingsley explains why he took his camera to a chip shop and updates us on the state of his poorly drone, Will has a brush with the law while he’s scoping out locations for Photo 24 in London, and Roger explains why he still hasn’t got a decent photograph of his new puppy. If you sent in a question, this could well be the podcast where it gets answered! We tackle some big questions: LED or flash, telezoom or telephoto and what exactly is a tilt/shift lens useful for beyond taking photographs of buildings. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! To listen to the podcast, visit our podcast library page, or find and subscribe to us on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Photography News Podcast, we take a deep dive into the wonderful world of black & white. The PN team share their tips on how to find and capture great monochrome subjects; what techniques to use in shooting and in editing; how to avoid common mistakes; and the best ways to print and present mono images. Elsewhere, Will and Kingsley offer up their first experiences of shooting with the Nikon Z 9 full-frame mirrorless camera, while Roger revels in four-pawed portraits at home. Plus, get the lowdown on picking the right wide-angle lens for your type of photography; which inkjet printer is best for printing at home; and buying advice on Panasonic’s Lumix S Series cameras from the experts at MPB.com. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

It’s the first Photography News podcast of 2022 and we’re back with a bang as we discuss recent developments from Canon that could signal the beginning of the end for DSLRs. Following a recent newspaper interview, in which the company’s CEO suggested that the EOS-1D X MkIII will be its last flagship DSLR, the PN team discuss what that means both on a personal level and a wider scale. Why has it happened? What does it mean for the rest of the range? Will Nikon follow suit? Which DSLR features will we miss? We answer all these questions and more. Elsewhere on the podcast, Kingsley believes he’s come up with a new photographic invention, Will has a frustrating trip to the coast, but inadvertently sets a world record and Roger explains which photographic-related gift proved to be a big hit at Christmas. Our loyal listeners also feature with some praise for the podcast and copious questions. This time around we round up some software suggestions to add into your workflow, shed light on the dark art of astrophotography and give one listener some project inspiration for 2022. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

It’s the final Photography News podcast of the season and time to gather our nearest and dearest to reflect on all that’s happened this year. That’s right – this time we’re talking favourite photo kit of 2021 – what else were you thinking?! In this episode, Will, Roger and Kingsley discuss their top cameras, lenses and photo innovations from the past 12 months, eyeing up the gear that’s made a difference to their photography, as well as the shiny new stuff they want to get their hands on in the New Year. Elsewhere, though the year is drawing to a close, the team’s activities continue. Will discusses the finer points of selecting and making prints as Christmas presents; Kingsley talks through the risks and rewards of a local portrait project; and Roger plans some reportage-style family photography. And to top it all off, there’s advice on when – and when not – to use in-camera Noise Reduction; how to adapt your Autofocus modes for whatever you’re shooting; what to look for in a camera for creating video; and how to speed up your shooting with Custom modes. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

With temperatures dropping as we head towards the end of 2021, there’s never been a better time to conquer the cold and head out with your camera to capture some brrr-illiant images! Handily, the PN podcast team are here with an avalanche of hints, tips and techniques to help you make the most of cold snaps. From where to head for the best images after a snowfall through to how best to keep your kit (and yourself) functioning, there’s more than a flurry of great advice to get you motivated.   Elsewhere on the podcast, find out why Will spent three hours in a Welsh greenhouse, how Kingsley came to be wandering around woods on his own in the dead of night and why Roger realised all too late that he should have taken a tripod to a National Trust property.   There are listener questions too, as we help one lucky chap decide whether he should buy a Nikon Z 7 II or a Z 9, discuss the benefits of storing your images in the cloud and end up getting into a surprisingly heated debate about photographing Christmas lights. Bah humbug!   Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

Autumn is well and truly here, and it’s reckoned by many landscape photographers to be the most photogenic season of all. So if you want to make the most of all those frosty mornings, blue skies and brightly coloured leaves, as well as all that great golden light at dawn and dusk, make sure you check this episode out right now. Offering up a great range of scenic tuition, the Photography News team tackles a series of reader questions, including: how to set up your camera for the best autumn colours; where to head for ideal woodland shots; what filters and lenses make all the difference in shooting forest scenes; and how to get beautiful sunstars in your landscape shots. And to cap it all, there’s top advice from editor Will Cheung on kitting yourself out for everything the autumn and winter weather has to throw at you. Plus, with the recent announcement of Nikon’s Z 9 mirrorless flagship, the team dive into what makes it such an exciting camera. There’s plenty to enjoy, so dive in right now. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

It’s the photographic equivalent of Through The Keyhole on the latest episode of the Photography News podcast as the team reveal their gadget bag secrets. Will, Kingsley and Roger run through what’s in their kit bags, providing a fascinating insight into the contents - photographic and otherwise. Listen in to discover which team member labels his batteries, who carries excess bag dividers ‘just in case’ and why one person takes a comedy moustache everywhere they go… Elsewhere on the podcast, the team talk through what they’ve been photographing in recent weeks. Find out where Will went to witness a spectacular natural phenomenon, what Kingsley got up to one clear night in Devon and why Roger has spent a lot of time scrabbling around on his hands and knees. On top of this, how a humble piece of string can help you take better photographs, whether carbon fibre tripods are really better than metal ones and what sort of bag you should buy if you need to get to your gear quickly. It’s too good to miss! Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

Prepare for controversy in the latest bumper episode of the Photography News podcast as the panel make their nominations for Room 101. Famous locations, techniques and equipment are all in the firing line as Roger, Will and Kingsley make suggestions for photo-related items that should be erased from existence. See if you agree with their thoughts and get in touch to tell us your pet photographic peeves! Elsewhere on the podcast, there’s been a glut of new product launches with two in particular catching the team’s eye. First up, we pick out key specification highlights from the impressive Canon EOS R3, including it’s revolutionary autofocusing system. Then, we turn our attention to Fujifilm’s GFX50S II as editor Cheung grills Fujifilm UK’s group brand manager on the competitively-priced medium-format model. On top of this, there are tales of photographic triumph in bad weather conditions, lens and studio flash buying advice, plus words of wisdom that every photographer needs to hear. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

The latest episode of the Photography News podcast encourages you to grab your bucket, spade, and camera gear then head to the beaches to make the most of the coast. Everyone in the UK is lucky enough to live within a couple of hours of the seaside, so now the school holidays are over and the crowds are dying down, it’s a great time to head there with your camera. The team discusses the photo opportunities that await, the challenges to overcome and - crucially - how to keep your precious kit free from grit and sea spray. Elsewhere on the podcast, Kingsley, Will and Roger take a trip down memory lane to recall cameras they owned in their 20s - which reveals some rather surprising choices - and they discuss the benefits of using legacy lenses. You’ll also learn what’s in the forthcoming issue of the magazine, when a macro lens isn’t a macro lens (and when it is), plus the benefits and pitfalls of using the Auto ISO mode. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

It’s been a few weeks since the last Photography News podcast and much has happened! With the UK lockdown lifting, the team have made the most of the freedom - and the weather - covering the length and breadth of the country, cameras in hand. Find out why Will was out in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night, how Kingsley coped when a bunch of boy racers foiled his landscape plans, and whether Roger rued only taking one lens away on holiday. With the summer holiday season in full swing, we discuss options for taking a day off to enjoy some picture taking. Where should you go? What should you do? Unsurprisingly, there are differences of opinion, but plenty of useful photo advice. Elsewhere on the podcast, we tackle whether one listener switching to full frame should buy a DSLR or mirrorless model before answering a lens conundrum for a concerned Nikon Z series user. Our friends at MPB.com also offer advice on which wide-angle zoom a Canon EOS user should plump for. Note: We had some sound recording issues on this podcast, so some sections are quieter than normal. Apologies for this, we hope it doesn’t spoil your enjoyment of the episode. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk

This episode we have an exclusive interview with Chris Coe, founder of the Travel Photographer of the Year competition. Now in its 19th year, Chris talks us through the contest’s successes, a challenging but rewarding year in the face of the global pandemic, his own photography projects, and a new venture designed to inspire and educate photographers to shoot better travel images. And if you’re thinking of entering the 2021 competition, which is open now, there’s also some great advice on what works – and what doesn’t – in travel photography. Also this episode, join the Photography News team as they dive into such diverse topics as: the botanical thrills of flower photography; choosing the right camera kit to take on your holidays; the benefits of in-camera sensor cropping; how to handle your memory cards the smart way; whether or not you need to add grip tape to your gear; and how many photography bags you can own before it looks weird. Phew! Plus, Photography News’s Editor, Will, reveals his favourite inkjet papers for home printing, with glowing reviews on high-quality stocks from the likes of Epson, Fotospeed, Hahnemuhle, Innova and Permajet. And to top it all off, our resident experts at mpb.com deal out some vital tips for one lucky reader who’s outgrown their Canon compact and is looking to upgrade to a fully fledged DSLR. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk

We’re just a couple of weeks away from the longest day of the year in the UK, so what better time to give you a full 24 hours of photo ideas? The PN team talks you through different subjects and techniques that you can tackle from sunrise to sunset and even the darker bits in between if you feel that way inclined. Why not get a bunch of photo friends together and indulge in a 24-hour orgy of picture taking to celebrate? Away from this photography frenzy, the latest launches from Nikon and Olympus are discussed, while editor Will reveals which unusual accessory he’s been using to help make it easier to capture great macro images. The thorny issue of drone usage is covered by one of our listener questions, plus do you need to get cameras and lenses serviced? One of the team also admits to (and attempts to justify) what can only be described as an alarming level of tripod ownership - place your bets as to who that might be! Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk

It’s all about the new gear this episode, as we delve into Sigma’s brand-new full-frame fp L body, as well as running a critical eye over the 2021’s coveted TIPA awards. To find out about the 61mp fp L we went straight to the horse’s mouth via an exclusive interview with Tim Berry, Media and Marketing Manager at Sigma Imaging UK. So, to find out about Sigma’s high hopes for the new model and what the PN team see as its main selling points, dive in now. Photography News is an active member of TIPA, the Technical Image Press Association, so the mag plays an important role in deciding the winners of its yearly awards. Will, Roger and Kingsley talk through some of the winners, as well as explaining what the Association stands for and how the winning gear is chosen. Elsewhere, there’s plenty of technique talk as the team has been out and about on all sorts of photo projects – with varying degrees of success and personal trauma, of course. Kingsley hires a super telephoto lens to tackle elusive spring wildlife, Will has a smashing time at a steam railway open day and Roger uses his camera skills to turn gloomy Cambridgeshire into sunny Spain for an afternoon’s product shoot. Also in this episode you’ll find advice from the experts at mpb.com about buying a ‘proper’ video camera, tips on using the classical Golden Ratio for better composition, and an overview of the masses of lens options available to Micro Four Thirds users. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk

With the weather getting warmer, the skies bluer and the fields greener, we thought it was high time we dispensed some invaluable landscape lessons on the Photography News podcast. Whether you’re an old hand at scenics, or taking your first steps into the – ahem – field, we’re on hand to give you ideas, advice and inspiration that will help you get better results. Amongst other things, the team discusses how to get the best shots no matter what lens you have on your camera, whether you need to walk miles to get great images and cover techniques for capturing panoramas by combining multiple images. Elsewhere in episode 24, Will divulges a great location to photograph bluebells and the techniques to use once you get there, Kingsley goes retro searching for a lens for his six-megapixel Epson R-D1 camera and Roger explains a technique that will help you see familiar scenes in a whole new way. Meanwhile, our experts at MPB help one reader decide on which macro lens to buy, we reveal which members of the Photography News team insure their camera gear and which – sharp intake of breath – don’t, plus the editor is taken to task over his infatuation with megapixel counts on cameras. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too!

With the weather warming up and the natural world bursting into life, it's the perfect time to capture great close-ups and macro. Yes, this episode, the Photography News team leaps into the undergrowth – though thankfully not in a Land of the Giants style, or we’d all be immediately swatted by a 50ft cat. But if you think that means a serene and scientific discussion on the merits of macro, think again. Sparks fly as the team clashes over what lenses you need, what techniques to use, and whether it’s actually worth shooting a fork. Away from macro, Roger finally opens his wallet for a Fujifilm X-E4, Will gets out and about with the Canon EOS M50 Mark II and the Tamron 70-300mm, while Kingsley rediscovers the joys of hybrid shooting, with a stills and video project on his Nikon Z 7II. Also this episode, we tackle the question of digital manipulation – how far should you push your image editing and where do the team each draw the line with their own work? Photo accessories are also up for discussion, so listen in to find out what gear we can’t do without. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk

With further lockdown easing on the horizon and the imminent return of the Rule of Six, it is the perfect time to get back to capturing portraits. Whether you’re going to be seeing friends or family for the first time in a while, you should mark the occasion by taking some photographs, so who better than the Photography News team to give you tips, advice and inspiration to create memories that matter? Will, Kingsley and Roger discuss their respective photographic approaches to portraiture, explain how to deal with reluctant subjects and give their thoughts on the kit you need to get great results. Diving deeper into episode 22 of The Photography News Podcast reveals how much Roger dislikes back button focusing, how Kingsley has spent more time reading instruction manuals than taking pictures and how Will uses wool and felt as part of his exhaustive process to review cameras for the magazine. Meanwhile, our friendly experts at MPB dispense handy lens advice to help one reader get closer to birds, while the team also advise a full-frame user on his switch to mirrorless and have a surprisingly spirited discussion about their favourite gadget bags. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk

Warning: this episode could seriously improve your chances of buying the right gear! With the prestigious reader-voted Photography News Awards just announced, the PN team picks over this year’s choices. Which cameras, lenses and accessories made the grade and did the team agree with all of the readers’ votes? There’s also a glimpse into the kit-obsessed brain of PN Editor, Will, who reels off his own Editor’s Choice Awards like a man drunk on power and armed with an inexhaustible credit card. Elsewhere we look back at this year’s virtual instalment of The Photography Show and there’s reaction to Nikon’s announcement of its flagship professional mirrorless camera, the Z 9: what’s already known about the new camera and what do we expect it to excel at? In other news, the team has been out and about – as much as possible – with new camera gear: Will testing the amazing Fujifilm GFX100S, Roger enjoying his petite new Fujifilm X-E4, and Kingsley trying out all manner of old Nikon F mount lenses on the Nikon Z 7II. And with the impending end of lockdown, this episode also contains top tips on packing the right gear for your next photo holiday, what you can shoot on a 24-hour photo project, and some timely advice on making the most of family photos. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk

The weather is warmer and the days longer, so that means it’s time to start photographing spring flowers. The last two weeks has seen daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses bursting into life around the country, so the team discuss tips and techniques to help you get great results. Kingsley, Will and Roger talk about optimum weather and lighting conditions, plus cover off composition, kit and pitfalls to avoid. It’s blooming marvellous advice if we say so ourselves! Elsewhere on episode 20 of The Photography News Podcast, Kingsley reveals breathtaking geographical ineptitude as he confuses north Wales with west Sussex, Will reveals what he got up to on Valentine’s Day and Roger gears up for a new camera purchase. Our experts also wrestle reader questions into submission by discussing the relative merits of Fujifilm’s X-E4 and what you should look for when buying a monitor, while the guys at MPB are on hand with some macro lens advice. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk

We’ve had not one, but two major camera launches in the last couple of weeks, so the PN team sit down to discuss the Fujifilm GFX100S and Sony A1 in detail. What are the standout features? What does some of the technology mean? Do you actually need all that they have on offer? Will, Roger and Kingsley are on hand to answer all of these questions and more, plus they reveal which of the two cameras they would buy (assuming they had the money, of course!) Elsewhere on episode 19 of The Photography News Podcast, the team reveal their latest photo exploits, which include buying an alarming amount of glycerin, getting to grips with a new camera and narrowly avoiding a trip to A&E while out ‘enjoying’ the snowy conditions. Our experts also tackle the thorny subjects of whether you should calibrate your computer monitor and which filters you should buy first. Got a pressing photography question? Email podcast@photographynews.co.uk and you could find your question being answered by some of the best in the business. And don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes, too! Find out more about Photography News at photographynews.co.uk