Shopping for someone whose love of taking pictures is bumping up against the creative constraints of their iPhone’s camera roll? There’s a whole world of photography gifts and gear out there, but you don’t need to spring for an expensive new camera body to get a gift that counts. If you’d like to stay well, well below the $1,000 threshold you’d spend on a new mirrorless digital camera, these fun options prioritize play and can expand anyone’s photography horizons.

As far as hobbies go, photography is extremely personal —  everyone has their own style, preferences and gear setup. Personally, I started shooting around two decades ago with an old 35mm camera passed down from my grandfather (a now-ancient Canon AE-1 — these used to be everywhere!) and still prefer the simplicitly of relatively rustic equipment.

As a hobbyist who mostly shoots adventure and nightsky photos (outside of work-related photojournalism) and occasionally sells my prints, I’ve tested all kinds of camera equipment, including DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, action cameras and many, many lenses. These days I mostly shoot digital, but film and physical prints are making a comeback, a trend our gift guide makes ample note of.

For anyone experimenting with photography and looking to get out of the smartphone shooting mindset, film and instant photography offer an exciting, tactile starting place.

Price: $79 at Amazon

In recent years, social media’s prevailing aesthetic has shifted from perfect and polished to something a lot more casual that hearkens back to the heyday of the Polaroid. After dying an untimely death, Polaroid is back, thankfully, but Fujifilm seems to be having the most fun in instant photography at the moment.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the perfect embodiment of that. The camera isn’t very expensive and doesn’t take itself too seriously, with a toy-like design that would be at home in the back of a Twitch streamer’s pastel dreamscape. The format is a little smaller than a classic Polaroid, but the film is readily available and still captures the fun and serendipity of printing photos on the fly.

Price: $33 at Amazon

If you’ve got an aspiring content creator on your gift list — or anyone who just wants better vacation shots — Joby’s line of tripods will instantly up their game. This GorillaPod, designed for smartphones, lets you safely mount your phone just about anywhere so you can take advantage of its higher-resolution front-facing camera. The flexibility can be useful at home too, say for shooting content for that close-up magic YouTube channel or funky fungi crochet craft TikTok.

Price: $295 at Amazon

Image Credits: GoPro

GoPro is synonymous with action photography for a reason. These cameras are tough, tiny, designed from scratch for extreme environments and fast-paced adventure. If you want to record a surfing session or an epic snowboard line, GoPro is the industry standard for a reason. They take great stills and video considering the circumstances and the little boxy cameras can be bought with a slew of accessories that make them even more indispensable, from mounts and grips to flotation devices. If you’d like to save some cash buying a GoPro, check out a model from a year or two ago (the GoPro Hero 12 Black is the current model) — the best deals in photography are often on cameras from a few years ago that manufacturers keep in stock. This same logic applies to pretty much all cameras and camera bodies, so keep that in mind if you’re after a good deal.

Price: $219

Price: $90

Photography gear is personal, but so are bags (as every TechCrunch bag week makes abundantly clear). Everyone has different preferences for what they want out of a backpack, messenger or sling. On the other hand, no one is ever mad about having too many bags for strategically lugging different combinations of stuff to various far-flung places. Peak Design is well-known in the photography community for painstakingly designed camera bags and accessories, but also check out Wandrd for what we think are cooler-looking packs with plenty of nooks and crannies for gear. Both brands have an array of options across price points, from small hip belt packs for a single extra lens to backpacks that fit a whole suite of gear on the go.

Price: $234 at Amazon

Photo credits: Fujifilm

Okay, we already talked about another of Fujifilm’s instant cameras but this one is in a class of its own. The Instax Mini Evo takes a different approach to instant photography, adding in a ton of filters and relatively sophisticated options without undermining the point and click ease that makes instant photos so fun. The Instax Mini Evo works as a traditional instant camera like its siblings, but it offers one big twist. Instead of shooting and printing immediately, you can shoot and then select which photo you’d like to print out — a huge boon considering how many poorly framed instant photos we’ve printed while trying to get the right shot. You also can use the Mini Evo like a standalone instant photo printer, sending smartphone photos to the device wirelessly to print out your best shots. Sure it’s cheating, but it’s also really flexible and fun — and that’s what photography is all about.

Image Credits: Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images

Vintage camera (variable)

If you take the dreamy, grainy photography trend to its logical conclusion, why not just rewind back to film? Like instant photos, film photography is making a comeback — and for good reason. Shooting with film feels nothing like taking a million snaps on an iPhone. The process slows you down, forces you to be deliberate and the shots wind up feeling that much more special. For a really special camera gift for the retro aesthetic appreciator, head to your local vintage camera store and pick up a 35mm camera and some good film. You could shop online, but browsing in person if you’ve got an old-school store nearby parallels the tactile charm of film photography. Either way, you’ll help keep film photography shops in business and wind up with a thoughtful, one of a kind gift.

Check out some of our other 2023 gift guides:

Growing as a photographer is not an easy or obvious thing to do. This particularly insightful video is here to help, though, offering practical advice for photographers seeking to elevate their craft, regardless of whether they are beginners or long-time enthusiasts.

Coming to you from Ted Forbes with The Art of Photography, this fantastic video discusses how to grow as a photographer. Forbes divides the discussion into two parts: a mindset shift and actionable steps. He emphasizes the importance of being specific in goals and understanding personal limitations. For example, one might focus on mastering a particular type of subject matter or experimenting with specific lighting techniques. He argues that growth in photography often involves self-imposed constraints. This concept is illustrated through ideas such as a challenge by photographer Keith Carter to take 12 compelling photographs within a mile of one’s home and Forbes’ personal experience of limiting himself to a rangefinder and a 50mm lens for an entire year. These constraints, he explains, can lead to more creative problem-solving and a deeper understanding of one’s tools.

Analyzing and understanding one’s work is another key point. Spending time with your own photographs, questioning what could be improved, and learning from each shot can significantly elevate a photographer’s skills. Forbes also stresses the importance of being inspired by others’ work. He encourages photographers to explore and learn from both the historical and contemporary photography scene and other creative fields like art, literature, and cinema. He suggests finding a mentor or taking workshops, which can provide guidance and accelerate learning.

Altogether, Forbes offers a lot of valuable insight sure to help you improve. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is seeking submissions for the 20th Annual Dahl Mountain Photo Competition + Exhibit, a juried photography exhibition based on mountain culture. All submissions are due by Friday, January 19. The exhibit will be on display from February 23 through April 20 in the Inez & Milton Shaver Gallery and the Denise Du Broy Gallery at the Dahl Arts Center.

Submissions for this show should capture the essence of mountain culture lifestyle, encompassing the ideas, beliefs, and values shared by individuals immersed in such environments. Whether it’s the Black Hills region or any other mountainous terrain, the content should reflect the unique way of life shaped by these landscapes.

Judges (professional regional photographers) will select the show through a blind jury process. There are three exhibit categories – Youth (18 and under), Adult Amateur/Hobbyist, and Adult Experienced/Professional. Judges will award First, Second, and Third places in each category as well as a Best of Show Award.

Award amounts are as follows: 

∙ Youth (18 and under) 1st – $75 | 2nd – $50 | 3rd – $25 

∙ Adult Amateur/Hobbyist (over 18) 1st – $75 | 2nd – $50 |3rd – $25

∙ Adult Experienced/Professional (over 18) 1st – $100 | 2nd – $75 |3rd – $50 

∙ Best of Show Award—$125 

∙ People’s Choice Award—$100

The submission process is entirely online, please visit thedahl.org/dahlmtnphoto to submit your application. 

When Threads launched earlier this year, the app was available in the US and more than 100 other countries. But those in the European Union were left out of the fun. However, in a short and sweet post on Threads, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta’s social media platform is now available to EU users.

Along with the launch, Meta allows users in the EU to browse Threads without signing in to a profile, a departure from how users elsewhere, including those in the United States, can use the service. However, users who want to post or interact with content will need an Instagram account, as The Verge reports.

Meta’s Threads initially launched in July 2023. Meta designed the app as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter) and, therefore, geared it towards text. However, photographers quickly jumped on board. The frustrating “insta-crop” is not a factor on Threads, making it an ideal alternative for sharing photos.

Unfortunately, EU residents haven’t been able to take advantage of the new social media platform until now. In fact, after the launch, Meta had to block EU-based users from accessing the app via a VPN, according to TechCrunch. Many blame the delay of access on the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which the bloc designed to curtail Big Tech’s alleged abuses and firm grip on the market. Indeed, companies such as Meta were listed as “gatekeepers” under the DMA and have until March 2024 to comply with the new requirements.

Other speculation posits that Threads’ close integration with Instagram (they do have the same parent company, after all) will cause issues with the EU regulators. When Threads launched, users signed up using existing Instagram accounts and could instantly connect with all of the Instagram accounts they already followed. This led to quick adoption but could go against the DMA’s rules against self-preferencing.

Since Threads launched, the connection between it and Instagram has loosened. In November, users were finally able to delete a Threads account without simultaneously deleting their Instagram account. However, users still need an Instagram account to post on Threads.

Despite the incredibly rapid growth (it was the fastest-growing app ever), Threads has struggled to retain users. The launch to the EU’s 448 million citizens will surely bring a new surge, though whether the app has done enough to keep people around remains to be seen.

Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.

Taking some sexy photos at home to send your partner as a surprise is a fun way to spice things up, and the pictures can even make a romantic gift. But more importantly, perhaps, are all the reasons you might take the pictures for yourself: to celebrate exactly how your body looks right now, or to see yourself in a new, more confident light. Boudoir photos capture your body like art (because it is!), and just the process of taking the pictures can be empowering. So, here’s how to take sexy selfies at home and capture beautiful, boudoir-style images, according to professional photographers.

1. Research some poses.

Realistically, most people don’t pose for the camera, like, ever, beyond just smiling and holding still. So, before you get dressed up (or down), get an idea of how you want to pose in your photos.

“Looking up ideas is Square One,” says Sperber, who recommends browsing Pinterest for inspiration. “Then, you practice. Get in front of the mirror and just try it without taking any photos. You’ll start to get an idea of what’s comfortable not only for your body, but also for your personality, which is really important in your photos. You can also find photographers on TikTok that have series on posing for sexy photos, usually geared towards people that are using their phones.”

2. Pick the time and place with lighting in mind

Where you’re taking your photos, and when, will determine what the best lighting will be,” says Stephanie Sperber, a professional photographer in Jacksonville, Florida. “If you’re taking some cute poolside or beach bikini pics, being closer to dusk or sunset will be best. If you’re indoors and it’s day time, use natural window light.” Snapping pics at night? Do not turn on that overhead ceiling fan light. Instead use a reading lamp and play use it to cast bright light different directions and play with the shadows, Sperber says.

“Using a lamp that is at eye-level or just a few feet higher is a much better option than turning on any overhead lights, which can cast dark shadows under your eyes and is much less flattering,” says Holly Douglas, owner of Holly Douglas & Co., a boudoir photography studio in Nashville. “Position the lamp a little off to one side, as opposed to directly in front of you, to give your lighting more dimension and prevent your photos from looking flat.”

3. Play with the position and intensity of the light.

A good rule of thumb: diffused natural light is always going to be the most flattering. “Posing near a window that either receives indirect light or has white sheers that can diffuse the light is ideal,” says Douglas.

If you want your face and body visible in the photos, position yourself with the window off to the side or directly in front of you, Douglas says. You can also try snapping some sexy silhouettes by posing with the camera in front of you and the window behind you.

“No matter where you are, be mindful of the direction from which the light is coming. You generally don’t want to light yourself from below. If your face is in the shot, the light should be at or above eye level. Play with the harshness and softness of the light too. Sheer curtains help soften light if you want something more even and flattering to your complexion,” Sperber says.

4. Set a vibe.

Getting yourself in a relaxed, romantic headspace will make posing and taking your own photos feel less awkward.

“Always set a vibe,” Sperber says. “Sometimes that’s just a playlist that sets your mood. If you’re taking your own photos at home, lighting some candles or incense can also be nice. And give yourself grace for feeling weird, if you do. It’s not easy for a lot of people to be vulnerable like this, but it’s so worth it to get there.”

“If you want to look sultry and sexy in your photos, it’s important to feel sultry and sexy as you’re taking them,” Douglas adds. “As soon as clients enter our studio, they smell the beautiful essential oils in the air from our diffuser. We also always have some kind of sexy or chill music playing while they’re in hair and makeup and during their photoshoots. We also like to light some candles throughout the studio. Not only do they look great in photos, but who doesn’t feel romantic in candlelight?”

5. Let your personality shine through in your outfit.

Lingerie feels like the obvious wardrobe choice for taking steamy pics — it’s designed to accentuate your curves and make your body look bangin’. It can fun to buy a special set just for pictures too. But if lingerie is not your thing, there are so many other options for what to wear. Sperber and Douglas recommend:

• Sheer kimonos (which can look extra cool if you’re backlit or taking silhouette photos)
• A big, chunky sweater with long socks and undies
• A football jersey and panties
• Your partner’s favorite shirt, jacket, hat, or other item, with very little else
• Draping yourself in a bedsheet or blanket

6. If you’re snapping pics on your phone, use the back camera.

It’s tempting to snap selfies with your front cam so you can see what the photo will look like, but this is folly, these photogs agree. Start by propping your phone up on a tripod (or, more realistically, a DIY one, like leaning it against a stack of books or a heavy candle).

“The back camera on your phone is going to take photos of higher quality, meaning sharpness, focus, and tones. The challenge with that is that you can’t see what you’re photographing until you run back over and check,” Sperber says. “There are mirrors you can buy that attach to your phone that let you see things live as you take photos. But I wouldn’t blame anyone for just skipping all of that and using the front selfie camera. You can still place it on a tripod to get some distance and have your hands free for posing. As far as actually taking the photo, timers exist on all phones, but there are also Bluetooth remotes that are helpful to keep you from running back and forth.”

Most people look their best when photographed at eye level or just slightly higher, Douglas points out, so keep that in mind when finding a place to position your phone. Booty shots, though, look good from a low angle (wink wink).

7. Take some pics with Portrait Mode.

“If you use the iPhone’s Portrait setting, it will look a little more professional than the regular iPhone camera setting,” says Douglas. “You definitely do not want to use the 0.5x camera setting though, as that is the wide-angle lens and it’s the most unflattering for portraits of any kind.”

8. Turn up the heat with these subtle movements.

Whatever poses you strike in your photos, Douglas recommends doing the following if you want the final shot to have serious sex appeal:

• Point your toes.
• Arch your back.
• Relax your jaw and part your lips slightly.
• Don’t be afraid to mess up your hair. (“Messy hair pics are hot!” she says.)

9. Know when to hire a pro.

Like most things, you can absolutely DIY a little sexy photoshoot for yourself, but there are advantages to hiring an expert. It can be important to have someone experienced taking your photos if you’re not sure how you’ll feel about your body in them.

“When someone decides to try taking her own spicy selfies, she doesn’t always consider how she’s going to feel about herself if the photos she takes turn out to be rather unflattering. A professional boudoir photographer, on the other hand, understands that the experience of creating sexy photos can actually have a huge impact on a woman’s overall self-confidence and body image,” Douglas says. “We are literal experts at knowing the best lighting, poses, and angles to create beautiful, flattering photos for every woman we photograph, regardless of her age, shape, or size.”

10. Enjoy yourself.

Whether you show them to someone special or keep them for yourself, commemorating what your body looks like right now is a fun way to celebrate it.

“Just make sure to have fun with your photos and be proud of yourself for doing this. It’s creative and powerful,” Sperber says. “And remember that you are beautiful. Every single person on the planet has at least one thing about their body they don’t love, and others rarely even see those flaws, or they don’t care about them because they’re part of the whole lovely package.”

Sources:

Stephanie Sperber, a professional photographer in Jacksonville, Florida

Holly Douglas, owner of Holly Douglas & Co., a boudoir photography studio in Nashville

Antonia Mufarech

Reporter

In March 2010, photographer Martin Bond decided to snap a portrait of his hometown every day. Titled A Cambridge Diary, the project captured subjects such as tango dancers, swans, commuters and even King Charles.

Bond tells the Guardian’s Donna Ferguson he wanted to showcase scenes in Cambridge, England, that tourists don’t usually see, while simultaneously rekindling the love locals feel for the city.

“The power of capturing everyday moments reminds us that we’re human. There’s a connectedness that we sometimes take for granted or are not aware of,” he adds. “All I’m really doing is just tuning in to those little personal moments and interactions that happen thousands of times over, in every street, because they chime with me, and I think they will chime with others.”

Now, 5,000 photos and 13 years later, Bond has decided to conclude the project.

The final image, which he shared on social media last Wednesday, features a full moon resting symmetrically between the turrets of an illuminated King’s College Chapel.

“I knew the moment I pressed the shutter that I wanted it to be the last photograph of my daily pictures, not just because this frame is undoubtedly the most recognizable view in Cambridge, but because, for me, the full moon symbolizes a moment of release and completion and a time to sit in the fullness of life and feel grateful for my blessings,” Bond wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The full moon is also associated with madness, of which I must have had a portion to have stuck with this for so long!”

In the post, he thanked those who have followed his journey, as well as those who have appeared in his pictures—including bikers, gardeners, rabbits, squirrels and the Dalai Lama. He added that he will continue sharing photos, although not daily.

“[Five thousand] seems to be a nice, round figure, and I did kind of want to relieve the pressure of doing it every day,” the photographer tells BBC News’ Lewis Adams, adding that he will “miss it tremendously,” as the project feeds him “psychologically and emotionally.”

Originally shared through a Facebook page, the diary currently has over 100,000 followers across several platforms, including Instagram and X. Bond tells Cait Findlay of Cambridgeshire Live that he originally planned to end the diary after ten years, but he decided to continue when the pandemic began. “Everywhere I go, I keep seeing potential for a photograph,” he says. “It’s a low level of vigilance that you carry with you all the time.”

Although A Cambridge Diary has come to an end, Bond continues to create. This fall, the photographer released his first book, Town and Gown, which showcases a curated selection of 365 images captured during the initial seven years documented in his diary. The 224 full-color pages display scenes from everyday life and celebrate the multifaceted city.

According to the Guardian, Bond eventually intends to review approximately 25,000 photos taken since 2010, which he will use to compile two additional collections.

After building such a large portfolio, he is struck by how many meanings can be assigned to a single image. As he writes on his website, “The best thing about street photography … is that it is possible for the final viewer of a picture to see more than the original photographer—proof, if any were needed, that there is more going on in any moment than a single person can understand.”

A striking close-up image of a turkey has won the top prize in the prestigious RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2023 for a Welsh snapper.

The stunning photo was entered by eight-year-old Jamie Smart, who is the youngest ever winner of the charity’s photography awards which have been running for over 30 years.

The winners of the award, which are open to youngsters aged 18 and under, were announced today 14 December at a ceremony the Tower of London hosted by TV presenter and RSPCA president Chris Packham.

Jamie, from Llandrindod Wells,  secured the highest award out of more than 6,000 entries to the competition this year.

The judges were impressed by the level of detail illuminated on the turkey, called Frederick, the contrast of colours and the dark and brooding background.

Thought provoking

The image which was entered under the ‘Pet Personalities’ category also caught the judges’ attention as an unusual and thought-provoking image which encourages people to think about turkeys differently.

Jamie, who has her own website Eagle Eyed Girl where she posts David Attenborough-style wildlife videos and photography, said: “I’d definitely like to be a wildlife photographer and presenter when I’m older. I really want to spread awareness and make a difference. I want to inspire people of all ages to get as many people as possible to help and conserve all these beautiful creatures.

“I’m amazed and proud of myself to have won and proud of my winning image. The shot of Frederick, our turkey, was taken through the bars of his pen and it looked like he was in prison which was quite appropriate due to the bird flu situation at the time.

“I wanted to show the beauty of his feathers with their iridescent shine, which he loves to display during spring and summer. People don’t often get to see the amazing plumage of turkeys. When the restrictions were lifted, he was able to be let out again in our wooded area.”

Curious George

Jamie also won the ‘Pet Portraits’ category with her image of Curious George – a horse she spotted on some moorland, in the ‘Small World’ category she was commended for her caterpillar image, a swan tilting its head into the water also secured her a commended position in the ‘Under 12’ category along with an image of a pheasant sitting on top of a farm gate – which was her personal favourite.

She also won the ‘portfolio’ category with ‘A Year In a Life of the Turkey’ which as well as featuring the winning image showcased striking close-ups of the turkey’s eyes and feathers.

All entries are judged entirely anonymously which makes Jamie’s success this year even more amazing.

This year’s awards were judged by a panel of experts in wildlife photography, including wildlife photographer, TV presenter and RSPCA president Chris Packham; wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby; former competition winner-turned-professional photographer Catriona Parfitt; professional wildlife photographer and photographic guide Ellie Rothnie; and RSPCA photographers Andrew Forsyth and Emma Jacobs.

Heartening

Chris Packham said: “Seeing children and young people express their connection to the natural world through these photographs is always so heartening to see, and this year I was blown away by how many superb photographs we received for the competition.

“Jamie’s turkey photo really stood out for me, it’s a fantastic image and not just because I could imagine it as an album cover for a punk band!

“Jamie is clearly a very talented young photographer with an exciting future ahead of her and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”