While the launch of Leica’s first projector and its consultation on the camera of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra got folks excited, there’s nothing quite like the launch of a new (or old) Leica camera to get photographers very, very excited. As a result, the announcement of the all-new full-frame 60MP SL3 L-mount Leica SL3 is big news in the world of photography — a seismic step up from the SL2 released back in 2019.

This mirrorless full-frame system embodies the esteemed “Made in Germany” hallmark of quality and precision in a big way; merging cutting-edge technology with an interface that is as user-friendly as any ultra high-end camera gets.

Featuring an avant-garde hybrid autofocus system, the SL3 masterfully integrates phase detection, object detection, and contrast detection technologies. In English? This trio of systems operates seamlessly and in tandem; enabling a degree of autofocus so precise it’s bound to set new standards in the industry.

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Notably more compact and lighter than its predecessors, the SL3 offers an exemplary user experience through its exceptionally intuitive design. It boasts sleek aesthetics; a clean user interface; and clear visual separation between the unit’s photo and video functionalities.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail in Wetzlar, Germany; the SL3’s robust, fully sealed metal housing is constructed with premium materials, promising durability under any weather condition. Developed in collaboration with professional photographers, the SL3 is equipped with a number of connectivity features for seamless data transfer and wireless communication.

These are as follows:

• CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II card slots,
• a USB-C port,
• full-size HDMI output,
• and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities.

All considered, there’s a lot to love about the new Leica SL3. In short, it promises photographers the best of premium build quality and boundary-pushing technology; united in a compact, user-friendly package.

Really, the only drawback (as with anything in Leica’s universe) is the very deep pockets you’ll need to enjoy the SL3 yourself, which arrives in market for just south of $12,000. You’ve been forewarned.

The other day, I read an article declaring that someone had passed away. It started by saying, “We regret to say that…” So, I’m not starting this article saying that. Instead, I’ll say something more important: It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of a great photographer. A body of work was discovered that wasn’t given the attention it deserved because of a culture that values gamification of content over art. Like Vivian Maier, the work of this photographer is important yet remained undiscovered for many years. The photographer we’re speaking about is someone that you most likely know.

It’s you. Photographers these days pigeon hole themselves to the idea of being content creators and being the slaves to an algorithm and social media platforms that don’t value them at all. The conversations around the work and how they can improve sound like toxic articles in a women’s magazine discussing how they should keep their male partner satisfied.

Maybe if you post this many times a day, the algorithm will be faithful to you.

Maybe if you post all the things that are trending right now and take part of that trend, your followers will pay more attention to you.

Maybe if you change yourself, you’ll change their mind.

Maybe if you try harder, your followers will make more of an effort to follow and interact with you.

The truth is you can’t keep pleasing an algorithm that doesn’t deserve to keep you. And truly, no algorithm in the world deserves your creativity.

I’m talking about you as a photographer making art and not content. Good art is like a good book. You can look at good art over and over, yet it will never lose its intrigue. The more attention you pay to it, the more little details you might find or things you might discover. Content, in contrast, lives and dies very quickly because of its fleeting nature.

The key here is that we, as photographers, must think about social media differently. It should be a platform for us to use as marketing, not the place where we show off our portfolio. We need a dedicated website that algorithms won’t control and that we can have a more creative say over when laying it out.

So what do you do if you’re not going to rely on social media for marketing? Here’s a list:

• Make an email newsletter: update it maybe twice a month and show people what you’ve been up to
• Stay creative for yourself first
• Stop getting inspiration from social media and start reading books or watching movies.
• Look at the work of the photographers who have come before you.
• Set up actual call times and be personable instead of getting caught up in the swarm of text-based conversations.
• Meet with people.
• Work on yourself and your people skills.
• Learn how to speak to people again and stop making conversations all about yourself.
• Stop using sentences and saying “I” this or “I” that, as they can have much more impact. I love that for you is nice but that sounds like a love story come true for you hits so much differently.

Most importantly though, take time to rest. When you take a rest and recharge, you come back with ideas and thoughts that you would’ve never dreamed of before.

ALTENBURG, Mo. (KBSI) – The Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum in Altenburg is displaying the work of a Benton, Mo., photographer.

Visitors to the center can view dozens of photos taken by Larry Braun featuring churches, post offices, and other buildings and features of southeast Missouri, particularly in Perry and Cape Girardeau counties.

Braun also has had a photograph featured on a postage stamp, a photo he took of the Mississippi River in Wickliffe, Kent.

Historian Gerard Fiehler said Braun’s photography showcases the beauty of this area, and Braun said these photos can bring back memories for the people who grew up in these towns.

“It shows people what’s here, the beauty of it,” Fiehler said. “We’re more than just a little town.” 

“People grew up in these little towns, they moved away and they see these pictures,” Braun said. “It just brings back so many good memories growing up in these little towns.” 

Kensington Palace has not yet commented on the concerns raised about the picture.

But without an official response from the palace, the confusion around the image is likely to fuel online conspiracy theories about Kate which have swirled on the internet since her abdominal surgery.

Royal commentator Peter Hunt said: “This is damaging for the royals.

Confusion as UK army says Kate will be at event but palace doesn’t confirm

“They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

“Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.”

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

But there was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte’s cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.

In the social media post, Kate thanked the public “for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months”.

Reuters said in a statement it had withdrawn the picture following a post-publication review. “We are reviewing the matter,” a spokesperson said.

Agence France-Presse said in a note to clients: “It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems”.

Associated Press said it had retracted the image because on “closer inspection, it appeared the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP’s photo standards”.

A spokesperson for the PA news agency said it had not killed the picture on its service, but was seeking urgent clarification from Kensington Palace about the concerns raised about manipulation.

The photo of the princess is the first released since she was admitted to the London Clinic, the private hospital where the king underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate, for a planned operation on January 16.

Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-law’s bedside after being admitted himself on January 26, the 11th day of Kate’s stay.

She was also visited by her husband, William.

Kate left the hospital on January 29, almost two weeks later, and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

Details of the princess’s condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

The 42-year-old future queen was last pictured in public during a Christmas Day walk in Sandringham, Norfolk.

Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and William, 41, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children as she recovered.

He returned to royal duties in February and is expected to carry out an engagement linked to his Earthshot environmental prize on Monday, as well as accompanying the queen at events to mark Commonwealth Day.

Earlier this month the UK army was forced into an embarrassing about-turn after suggesting Kate would attend Trooping the Colour on June 8.

Tickets were being sold for the event, with Kate expected to attend in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the regiment which is trooping its colour this year.

However, it is understood the army did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, and the website was subsequently updated to remove the reference to her.

Additional reporting by Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse

Dehradun: The fourth edition of a photography exhibition titled ‘Stories through Her Lens’, featuring the works of 24 women artists from different parts of the state, opened to the public on Sunday and will continue till March 17 at an art gallery in the MDDA complex on Rajpur Road. The exhibition was inaugurated last Friday on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Bhumesh Bharti, curator of the exhibition, said, “The idea of the exhibit is to provide a platform for women photographers from various walks of life and to showcase the abundant talent of these photographers.”
The photographs showcase a wide range of subjects, including wildlife and birds, street-life captures, and Himalayan landscapes, among others. Mauli Mishra, one of the contributing photographers who is an architect by profession, said, “The group includes lawyers, content creators, homemakers, professionals, and amateurs, all of whom had something to showcase and this exhibition is the perfect platform to showcase our creativity.”

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