Lux, the startup and makers of the popular pro photography app Halide and others, is venturing into video. The team today announced its plans to debut a new app, Kino, arriving in roughly two months’ time, that will allow iPhone users to work with video in a more professional capacity.

The news follows advances in iPhone video capture that have allowed Apple to film its own press events using an iPhone 15 Pro Max alongside other professional equipment. Recording artist Olivia Rodrigo also released a music video for her track “Get Him Back!” using an iPhone 15 Pro.

The Lux team additionally confirms that last fall’s launch of Log video support, which Lux co-founder Ben Sandofsky says is to “videomakers as RAW is to photographers,” inspired the team to build the new app for video.

“Since we launched Halide in 2017, one of our top questions from users has been ‘When are you going to add video capture?’” says Sandofsky in an announcement video. The company’s well-received Halide app had originally capitalized on the iPhone’s support for RAW photography to win an Apple Design Award and gain it many fans, who have now been clamoring for video support in Halide.

“I’m really excited to today announce: never. Halide is never going to be able to capture video,” Sandofsky teases.

Instead, the company is developing a new app for this purpose called Kino. The reason to build this as a separate app, beyond being able to monetize the feature as an additional product, has to do with the use cases for the two products. Halide is focused on the pro photography market while Kino will focus on pro videography, so presumably will have a host of additional features that could lead to clutter if included in the Halide app.

Sandofsky says the team has a deadline of February to ship it, as he will soon be a father. So, he explains, “We thought it would be fun this time to take you along this insane journey.”

That means, instead of building in secret followed by a splashy launch, the team at Lux will take users behind the scenes of app building as they weigh things like engineering problems and design considerations that go into developing Kino.

Much more isn’t yet known about what Kino will include or when, exactly, it will arrive, but it’s likely to be another well-built app, considering the startup’s track record for iPhone photography.

Over the past years, we’ve made it our mission to cover as much gear as possible and let you know what we think. Everything from cameras and lenses, to backpacks and tripods.

So after all the testing, what are some of our favorite products that we’ve gotten the chance to test out? Read on for our favorites.

Thanks to B&H Photo, Mylio Photos, Radiant Photo, MPB, Lumecube, Platypod and Tamron, the sponsors of this year’s Holiday Gift Guide.

Lowepro Trekker Lite SLX 120

Read review | $83.99; available via B&H

This is an almost minimalist, lightweight, low-profile pack that still somehow holds a full-frame camera and a couple of lenses. I also like how the bag is designed to retain its shape more. This provides easier access and protection for camera gear than a regular waist-pack might provide.

I give Lowepro extra points for having a very visible light-colored interior and yellow zipper pulls. This is a high-quality, no-frills pack that I recommend for photographing while moving around all day.

Best camera for pros: Sony a1

Read review | $6498; available via B&H

If you’re looking for a camera that does it all, look no further. The Sony a1 combines the best of stills and video to create a professional-grade package that you can rely on again and again! Offering a 50.1-megapixel stacked sensor, you’ll get superb clarity and dynamic range in your images. With Real-Time Eye AF, you can be sure that you’ll lock in on your subjects every time.

On the video front, the a1 is equally as impressive, with recording up to 8K at 30p and 4K at 120p. I picked up this camera shortly after it was released, and I have to say, it’s been an absolute joy to use.

Best camera for enthusiasts: Canon EOS R6

Read review | $2499; available via B&H

The Canon EOS R6 is one of the best cameras on the market for those who are serious about their photography and for those who are starting out their professional careers. The camera boasts one of, it not the best autofocus system on the market, a great 20-megapixel sensor that produces detail filled images with tons of dynamic range, a fully articulating screen, class-leading IBIS and plenty of weather sealing. The camera also has some the easiest to use menus out there. Overall, the Canon EOS R6 is a stellar camera that deserves it’s place on our editors choice list.

Best camera for beginners: Fujifim X-S10

$999; available via B&H

For just under $1,000 the Fujifilm X-S10 packs a lot of tech into a small lightweight body. The camera has a vari-angle LCD, a good EVF, IBIS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity for easy image sharing, and, of course, the fantastic 26.1 Megapixel X-Trans sensor.

The images that come out of the X-S10, both RAWs and JPEGs sing. You won’t be disappointed. The design of the X-S10 is also pleasing and the controls are easy to learn. This is without a doubt, the best entry-level camera that you can currently get your hands on. If you’re ready to step up from your smartphone, this is the camera to do it with.

Best camera accessory: Datacolor Spyder Checkr Photo

Read review | $99.99; available via B&H

Overall, the Datacolor Spyder Checkr Photo is an excellent tool for those who need to ensure that the colors they work with are accurate. The Checkr Photo is not a tool that the average everyday snapper would need. However, if you’re a fashion photographer, an event or wedding photographer, a portrait photographer or a photographer who works exclusively in a studio, the Datacolor Spyder Checkr Photo is a tool you’ll likely find valuable.

Best computing accessory for beginners: One by Wacom Creative Pen Tablet

Read Review | From $49.95; available via B&H

While my experience with the One by Wacom is strictly for photo editing, I think it would be a great tool for learning other artistic methods. I don’t think experienced photo editors will find that it has enough functionality for what they do.

If you’re just starting to learn how to edit images, this will be a great addition to help you step up your game. You’ll likely find it more natural than using a mouse or touchpad.

Best fixed lens camera: Ricoh GR III

Read review | $896.95; available via B&H

The Ricoh GR III is hands down the best camera you can put your hands on if you’re a modern street photographer. This compact camera can easily slip inside your pocket so you can take it anywhere with minimal fuss. Incredibly, Ricoh managed to stuff a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and IBIS into this tiny camera.

The images you can produce with the 28mm equivalent lens will blow your mind and the JPEGs that the camera spits out will leave you speechless. Tack on the fact that this camera features snap-focus, which is one of my favorite features in any camera I’ve ever used and you have a pocket powerhouse that will let you be creative no matter where you want to go. At under $900, this camera is a serious bargain. See what all the fuss is about in our full review.

Best “fun” accessory: 35mm Film Rocks Glass Sets

$160; available via Photogenic Supply Co.

We’re big fans of whiskey (who isn’t), and these 11oz Rocks / Whiskey glasses with a genuine used 35mm film canister are quite the treat. Coming with four custom-made wooden camera aperture coasters, you’ll impress your fellow photographers when you gather for a drink.

Best mobile device: iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max

Read review | Starting at $999; available via Amazon

The best iPhone yet is here, and it includes a plethora of photo and video upgrades! Capture the tiny world around you with Macro mode, or create the next Oscar-winning film using Cinematic mode. Updated cameras means better performance in low light, and best yet, it’s all in a single device that fits in your pocket!

Best lens for E mount: Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master

Read review | $1998; available via B&H

They said a Sony f/1.2 lens couldn’t be done. Well, here it is, and Sony is proving all the naysayers wrong. The 50mm f/1.2 GM lens is absolutely gorgeous, creating breathtaking bokeh with a fast autofocus and superb sharpness. For anyone looking to upgrade to a better 50mm, you simply can’t get much better than this if you use a Sony camera. 

Best lens for E and L mount: Sigma Contemporary series

Read review: 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2, 65mm f/2 | $539, $639, $699

Sigma’s I series lenses turned heads when they hit the streets. These prime lenses are part of Sigma Contemporary line, however they feature a premium all-metal build, some weather sealing, an aperture control ring, and stunning optics. We have reviewed the Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN ($539), the 35mm f/2 DG DN ($639) and the 65mm f/2 DG DN ($699) and we were blown away by their optical performance and premium feel. They’re available for both Sony E mount and L mount cameras.

Best lens for E and XF mount: Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3

Read review: E mount or XF mount | $699; available via Tamron

Tamron has proven with the 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 that it can produce high-quality optics, even for APS-C sensors. This lens provides a versatile look at the world, perfect for anything from travel to capturing kids’ sports. The autofocus is quick and accurate, and the picture quality exceeds expectations!

Best lens for Micro Four Thirds: OM SYSTEM 20mm f/1.4 PRO

$799; available via B&H

If the first lens from OM SYSTEM is anything to go by, the future is bright for fans of the company formerly known as Olympus. This 40mm equivalent fast prime is a stunner. 

The lens is razor sharp at f/1.4, it renders gorgeous colors, and the bokeh it produces is nice and smooth. To top it off, it has pro-grade weather sealing. blazing fast autofocus motors and a minimum focusing distance of just 9.8 inches. I haven’t been this excited about a lens in a long time. If you shoot with Micro Four Thirds cameras you need to check this lens out.

Best lens for RF mount: Canon 50mm f/1.8

Read review | $199; available via B&H

An honest to goodness nifty fifty, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 is one of the only Canon RF mount lenses that has brought a genuine smile to my face. This isn’t to say other RF lenses are bad, they’re not, but the RF 50mm just lets you go out and enjoy your photography. 

The lens is incredibly small just like the old DSLR version. It’s very light, the optics are fantastic for the price and it actually has some character! A rarity in most modern lenses. If you own a Canon mirrorless camera and you don’t own this little gem, you’re really missing out on something special. 

Best lens for Z mount: NIKKOR 14-24 f/2.8 S for Z mount

Read review | On sale for $2196.95; available via B&H

The Nikon wide-angle shows the world how wide-angles should be. Beautiful optics, snappy and reliable autofocus and the details that matter. The NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8 lens for Z mount cameras is an absolute joy to use, whether you’re capturing real estate, architecture or landscapes.

Best light: Godox V1

Read review | $159; available via B&H

A flash that I use on a daily basis for portraits, product photography and more, the Godox V1 is easily one of the best flashes you can get. It’s unqiue roundhead design opens up a lot of options thanks to the magnetic mount that surrounds it. You can quickly attach diffusers, color gels, grids and more. 

The build quality is fantastic, the rechargeable battery is good for over roughly 400 full power flashes per charge, and the quality of light is great. With the consistent output you know what you’ll get every time you use it. You can even use this flash off camera when you purchase an X2 remote trigger for your camera brand. The flashes and triggers are available for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony. Don’t let the low price fool you, this is one serious flash that will open up many creative doors for you. 

Best software: Capture One 23

Read review | $99; available via DxO

DxO PureRAW has quickly become one of our favorite pieces of software in 2021. Tasked with capturing photos in dark, outdoor environments, with little to no light, DxO PureRAW has come through time and time again. It’s not only taken care of the noise in images, but it’s also performed lens and color corrections for a more accurate picture. This software will pay for itself 10 times over again; we can’t recommend it enough.

Best storage device: SanDisk Professional 2TB Pro-Blade Transport

Read Review | Starting at $229.99; available via B&H

The SanDisk Pro-Blade Transport and SSD Mag external drives are lightweight, compact and easy to use. For the traveler looking to carry less to the photographer looking to add external storage at home, it’s an innovative system that works well.

Best tripod Accessory: Platyball

Read Review | from $299; available via Platypod

The Platyball marks Platypod’s first-ever ball head. The company promises supreme ease of use and ultimate flexibility. Whether you’re photographing architecture, landscapes, portraits or nightscapes, the Platyball is a great option for any photographer.

Best video accessory: Manfrotto Gimbal MVG-220

Read review | $287.99; available via B&H

Are you ready to up the production quality of your videos? If so, you need to check out the Manfrotto MVG220 Gimbal. This 3-axis stabilizer will work with most camera and lens combos that weigh less than 4.85 lbs. It’s easy to balance your gear, the touchscreen menus are easy to navigate and use, and the included briefcase handle makes it comfortable to hold.

The rechargeable battery is good for seven hours of use and the built-in modes for Instagram and TikTok creators will surely please. I have used this gimbal extensively and I can say that I have been nothing but pleased with it.

When British photographer Stephen Pemberton heard reports that the Aurora borealis would be visible in his area, he quickly gathered his camera equipment and headed out the door. He made his way to his favorite location in Northumberland—the Howick Bath House. Free from light pollution, the structure makes for an interesting setting. Once he arrived, he was pleased to see that the Aurora was active, but he certainly didn’t expect what came next.

“Once there, I got my camera on the tripod, focused on a distant star, and took an image of the bathhouse lit up by the Aurora. At the same time, there was a bright white trail directly overhead crossing the Milky Way,” he tells My Modern Met. “I’d never seen this before and almost dismissed it as trails from a passing aircraft. Curiosity got the better of me, so I pointed the camera toward the streak and let it take a 10-second exposure. Then it happened!”

“On the back of the camera, there was a vivid red and white stripe running the length of the image. It absolutely took my breath away. I knew immediately this was incredibly rare to see, and it was beautiful. The contrast from one side of the line to the other made it look as though there were two skies separated by a tear in the sky. I’m incredibly lucky to have captured the image, and it’s hands down the best photo I’ve ever taken.”

So, what exactly was the ribbon in the sky that Pemberton photographed?  Named STEVE, this optical phenomenon was only named in 2016, though aurora watchers have noted it for centuries. STEVE stands for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, and it is caused by a wide ribbon of hot plasma that flows rapidly through the sky. It often has a pink or green coloration.

While it’s not unusual to see the phenomenon, it is quite rare to photograph STEVE together with the Aurora, the Milky Way, and a shooting star thrown in for good measure. Pemberton’s ability to capture the scene is remarkable. While he’s been actively practicing photography for 25 years, he just took up astrophotography three years ago.

It’s his hope that through these images, people realize that they can find incredible scenes like these right in their own backyards. As for Pemberton, he’ll continue exploring Northumberland with the hope to one day transition to full-time photography with the ability to lead photography tours showing the beauty of the area.

See more incredible astrophotography taken in Northumberland that evening.

Stephen Pemberton: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Stephen Pemberton.

Related Articles:

Rare Photos of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) Filling the Sky With Energy

Stunning Photo Captures “Eruption” of Perseid Meteors and the Milky Way Over Mount Rainier

Spectacular Finalists of the 2023 Astronomy Photographer of the Year Contest Explore the Stars and Beyond

Photographer Captures Neowise Comet, Milky Way, and Northern Lights All in Once-in-a-Lifetime Photo [Interview]

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill promised to pay the lost wages of the photographer who was suspended by the NFL for filming his backflip selfie celebration video.

NFL photographer and content creator Kevin Fitzgibbons had his media credentials suspended for his part in the Tyreek Hill backflip selfie celebration video.

In a viral social media post, Fitzgibbons revealed that he was suspended by the NFL for at least the remainder of the season — and “possibly for good” — for taking part in Hill’s touchdown celebration video.

However, Hill now says that he intends to cover Fitzgibbons’ lost wages and pay the photographer’s salary.

“Me and K-Fitz, we’ve got a long history together,” Hill tells ESPN.

“The news is something that I already knew. I told him don’t let this get to you. Just hold your head up. You’re still young. Continue to do what you love. Me and him are going to continue to work together.

“I told him I was going to cover his salary, whatever the NFL was going to pay him or whatever.

“I told him I was going to make sure that I do what’s right and take care of you, make sure you’re not out of a job. That’s my guy.”

Fitzgibbons was hired in 2022 to cover Miami Dolphins’ home games which he continued into the 2023 regular season. The 20-year-old photographer describes it as a “dream job.”

But, during a Dolphins game against the Carolina Panthers in October, Hill scored a touchdown and grabbed a phone from Fitzgibbons before performing a backflip while filming a selfie video.

The awesome POV video was posted to the NFL UK’s social media page before being deleted just minutes later. It is likely the NFL deleted the selfie video as Hill had violated the league’s celebration rules about external props and the Dolphins’ wide receiver got a penalty for the celebration.

The backflip selfie celebration video has amassed over six million views with the overwhelming majority sympathizing with the young cameraman.

“What is the good that comes from a decision like this?” Asks one X user. While many called the NFL the “No fun league.”

A petition on Change.org has been created to “Reinstate Kfitz as the NFL videographer at Hard Rock stadium.”

IDEA co-founder Angela Hill’s latest photo book, Edith, captures two decades of her daughter’s life as she navigates the rocky trials of adolescence

December 04, 2023

As the holiday season approaches, the Better Business Bureau has issued a warning to photographers, revealing that package theft is currently “at an all-time high.” This troubling trend is a cause for concern, especially as we anticipate an increase in package deliveries during this busy holiday season.

One Milwaukee resident, Latisha Franklin, experienced this issue firsthand when her doorbell camera captured a brazen thief in action on November 7th. In the footage, a woman approached Franklin’s front door, nonchalantly placed an empty McDonald’s box, and made off with a recently delivered package. Franklin’s response was one of disbelief, stating, “I think I came home maybe 15 minutes later and realized the package was gone. For things like that, I didn’t think I would need to review my camera footage within a month of living here.”

Unfortunately, Franklin is not alone in facing such a situation. Many photographers and residents have fallen victim to package theft, sometimes mere minutes after a delivery. According to Lisa Schiller from the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin, this is an issue that could worsen over time. She emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, “It’s at an all-time high. That’s a huge problem, very big concern. This is the month that we are going to have more package deliveries than ever, so it’s an opportune time for criminals.”

In light of these circumstances, it’s essential for photographers to take proactive measures to protect their valuable equipment and supplies. Schiller offers valuable advice to safeguard against package theft: “Don’t leave the packages unattended for long periods of time at least. If you have a neighbor, you could always ask them to bring the item in for you. Pick up the package later.”

For those who, like Franklin, are particularly concerned about the safety of their deliveries, they may consider having expensive items shipped to an alternate address, even if it may not be the most convenient option. Franklin reflects on the unfortunate reality, saying, “It is unfortunate now that we have an added need to check when our packages are coming.”

A study by Capitol One Shopping reveals the gravity of the situation, with 14% of Americans reporting a stolen package last year. As photographers, it’s crucial to be vigilant and proactive in protecting your valuable photography gear and supplies, especially during this high-risk season of increased package deliveries.

The Colorado Photographic Arts Center has changed locations with considerable frequency over its 60-year history, and no one knows that better than its current executive director, Samantha Johnston. During her tenure — just eight years now — CPAC has had four different headquarters in various parts of Denver.

Each move was more than packing and unpacking. It also required adjusting to new gallery spaces, setting up classrooms for its students, transporting the organization’s substantial in-house holdings and launching a fresh campaign to tell the public exactly where they could find CPAC’s popular exhibitions of work by photographers from Colorado and beyond.

But CPAC’s latest change of place, to the first floor of a high-rise at 1200 Lincoln St., might serve it for the long haul. Everything feels right about it, particularly its physical location, on a busy thoroughfare in the culturally rich Golden Triangle Creative District.

The neighborhood is a regular destination for art fans already and, for many, CPAC’s new building will be familiar, too. For several years, it housed the Art Institute of Colorado, which shut down in 2018. The structure has since been converted into residential apartments.

CPAC has a 10-year lease, with the option to extend that another 10 years, according to Johnston.

The new CPAC home is, to use an appropriate adjective, photogenic. Johnston spent more than two years — working with architect Nathan Gulash of Semple Brown Design — customizing the 4,000-square-foot space to fit its needs. There are work rooms, dark rooms, offices, stacks for the archives and an L-shaped exhibition hall with a sliding wall that will allow it to be divided up for multiple shows.

The pair kept things neat and clean, and monochromatic. The walls are white, of course, and the ceiling, with its plumbing and duct work exposed, is matte black. The galleries are elegant, but meant to disappear in favor of the photo shows that will occupy them.

The current exhibition, titled “Tell Me a Story,” fits the space well. The show, which runs through Jan. 6, features work by a mix of regional, national and international photographers. Guest juror Mary Statzer, the chief photography curator at the New Mexico Museum of Art, chose the work from more than 500 submissions.

“Tell Me a Story” explores the idea of photography as a format for storytelling, but in a very specific way. What is the power, the show asks, of a single image, to relate a complex human tale?

The answer comes in 32 photos — digital prints on paper, for the most part — rendered in various shapes and sizes, and in different styles. Many fit easily into the common language of visual arts. For example, some are portraits, while others are landscapes. Some photos capture domestic scenes of everyday life, others are clearly staged. Most fall somewhere in the middle of all that.

One example is photographer Mark Coggins’ shot, titled “4-H Club,” a black-and-white image that captures a teenage boy, dressed in a hoodie, nestled up with two pigs.  All three of them are enjoying a nap. The photo is set in the sort of metal pen that will look familiar to anyone who has wandered the hay-filled halls of Denver’s annual Stock Show and watched kids compete with their livestock.

Is it a traditional portrait? It goes a long way toward capturing the personality of this young competitor. Or does it fall under the category of photojournalism or documentary? It is certainly meant to freeze a moment in time at an important cultural event.

The same questions surround the photo titled “The Commuter,” by Jason McKinsey, which presents a middle-aged man behind the wheel of an automobile. He is apparently stalled in traffic, looking off into the distance, waiting for things to move along during rush hour.

Several things make this image compelling. First, it captures the man through his windshield — how did the photographer get such a vantage point? Second, is it a real scene or manufactured? Is this an actual instance in a daily commute or is the man an actor and the whole image fiction? The piece has a cinematic feel.

And more to the point of the exhibition overall, what is the narrative here? Who is this guy? Where is he coming from and where is he going? The image begs us to fill in the missing parts.

That is true with nearly all of the photos in “Tell Me a Story.”  Each is a mystery without quite enough clues to solve. They hint at a bigger tale, giving us neither the beginning nor the end, just a split second of the action.

I found them provocative but also frustrating, a reminder that we can never understand the whole truth by looking at a single moment in time. We can only guess — and we often guess wrong.

This exhibit is content to dwell in the conundrums, and many viewers will enjoy that. Humans love a good puzzle, and this show succeeds by delivering them in overwhelming numbers.

But it also, quite clearly, shows the inability of single photographic images — served up without context or captions or other photos — to convey complicated truths. When people fill in the blanks, they bring their own biases and personal histories into the equation, including their preconceptions about race, class, gender, politics and social history, and that influences their comprehension. These photos spark the imagination but they also invite misinterpretations in a way that feels not quite right.

Instead of being powerful narrative tools, the solitary photos can feel like weak links in the information chain. They want us to come to conclusions without all the facts, to feel smart and well-informed when, in fact, we know little. They are certainly not dangerous in any way, but they underscore how some images — especially those manufactured through artificial means with the intent of serving as propaganda — might actually be dangerous.

Either way, they are riveting, and the show is exceptionally cohesive and relentlessly on point. Viewers might find the shots inspirational or be annoyed by the whole exercise, though they will, no doubt, stare for a very long time.

Ray Mark Rinaldi is a Denver freelancer who specializes in fine arts.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.