Photokina was first launched in 1950, before quickly becoming a biennial fair for exhibitors – including top imaging companies – to show off their latest photography equipment to the public. The event took place in Cologne, Germany, with vendors and visitors (often in the hundreds of thousands) flocking from around the world to view class-leading photography gear.
But enthusiasm for Photokina waned in recent years, with the rise of social media and smartphone photography relegating more traditional, higher-end photography equipment to the sidelines.
While the Photokina organizers sought to combat these problems by increasing the number of events (Photokina was to become a yearly trade show as of 2018) and by broadening the definition of the event so that less traditional vendors could take part, this did little to address Photokina’s fundamental problem: the overall decline of the camera market.
As the organizers explained in the press release announcing the suspension of Photokina:
In view of the further massive decline in markets for imaging products, Koelnmesse has decided to discontinue organizing Photokina at its Cologne location for the time being…The trend in this industry, with which we have always had a close and trusting partnership, is very painful for us to witness. But we are facing the situation with a clear, honest decision against continuing this event, a decision to which, unfortunately, we have no alternative.
They go on to explain that these problems were present long before the market’s COVID-19 downturn, and that “an event held in 2022 could not have met the expectations of the entire imaging community that those efforts were intended to serve.”
Hence the decision to shut down Photokina for the foreseeable future.
While this news is sad, especially for those who attended Photokina frequently in the past, it’s far from unexpected. As indicated by the initial adjustments to Photokina – changes began back in 2014 – the organizers were struggling to maintain interest. Then the 2019 event was dropped, and the 2020 event, scheduled for this past May, was canceled due to COVID-19.
Technically, Photokina could resume at some point in the future. But barring some sudden reversal to the camera market, Photokina is likely gone for good.
Now over to you:
What do you think about this news regarding Photokina’s suspension? Do you think the trade fair will ever come back? And are you worried about what this says regarding the overall decline of the imaging market? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Leading lines refer to a compositional technique where the viewer’s attention is drawn to lines that lead to the main subject of the image. A leading line paves an easy path for the eye to follow through different elements of a photo.
Usually, these lines start at the bottom of the frame and guide the eye upward and inward, from the foreground of the image to the background, typically leading toward the main subject.
Where can you find leading lines?
The easiest place to find a leading line is on a road. Roadways are inherently leading because they go somewhere, giving us a feeling of motion. The lines often point so far inward that they reach a vanishing point – the place where two or more lines converge at theoretical infinity.
The leading lines of the road converge to create a sense of infinity.
When leading lines, such as roads, connect the foreground to the background of a scene, they help create depth and dimensionality, which draws the viewer into the image.
Leading lines are all around us in cities and in nature. Your job, as the photographer, is to find them and arrange them in your photograph so that they lead toward something, even if that something is infinity.
The logs on the beach draw the viewer’s eye into the frame and lead up to the house.
When you’re setting up a shot, take a moment to examine the scene for its prominent lines. Clear your mind, relax your eyes, and notice where you’re naturally drawn to.
Pay special attention to human-made objects such as:
roads
fences
boardwalks
bridges
bricks
anything in a row, such as lamp posts
buildings
doorways
window panes
In nature, pay particular attention to:
rivers
shorelines
waves
sand dunes
trees
tall grass
cliffs
rocks
sunrays
The soft leading line of the river’s edge creates depth in the image.
What’s the best way to use leading lines?
Once you’ve identified your strongest lines, consider how you can use them to enhance your composition.
Depending on your intention, you might:
Create depth and perspective by positioning a strong line leading from the foreground to the background
Create a visual journey from one part of your image to another
Place your subject where the lines converge to give the subject more importance in the frame and draw the viewer’s attention directly to it
Make a cyclical composition, with the lines leading the eye in a circular motion and never out of the frame
Arranging the elements in the frame may involve the use of different lenses to change perspective. However, you can accomplish this simply by moving yourself so that the point of view you choose is purposeful.
The leading line of the path takes the eye directly to the maple tree.
How to use leading lines for better compositions: final words
Leading lines are the key compositional element that carries our eye through the photograph. They can be used to tell a story, to place emphasis, and to draw a connection between two objects.
Use leading lines creatively and with expressive purpose to help you tell your unique photographic tale.
How does a 24mm lens compare to a 50mm lens when photographing people? Both are great options, given the low price point, but they do have slightly different strengths when it comes to people photography.
In this article, I’ll show you several different images of the same model, location, and pose, photographed with both a 24mm and a 50mm lens. This will provide a good visual of the difference between the two lenses, and should give you insight as to when you might want to reach for each option.
The Canon 60D is an APS-C (cropped-sensor) camera, so you’ll need to multiply the focal length of each of your lenses by 1.6x in order to determine their effective focal length on this camera (though if you use Nikon APS-C cameras, your crop factor is 1.5x).
So on a cropped sensor camera, a 24mm lens functions roughly as a 38mm lens, and a 50mm lens functions as an 80mm lens.
24mm shows off the background
When it comes to photographing people, a 50mm lens emphasizes the subject, whereas a 24mm lens shows the environment.
However, the context for this session is also important – it took place at a family vineyard, and the clients wanted to be sure that the grapes were visible in the background of some of the images. As you can see above, the grapes weren’t visible in the portrait taken with the 50mm lens, nor would closing down the aperture really give the perspective of the vineyard that my clients were looking for.
So after taking a few portraits with the 50mm, I switched over to my 24mm lens in order to capture a few wider shots.
The shot above shows the same girls, the same exact location, and a very similar pose. The only real difference is that, with the switch to the 24mm lens, you can see more of the girls and the area around them.
In some instances, you may want to minimize the area around your subject, in which case the 24mm lens would not be ideal. However, in this case, it allowed me to capture images that highlighted both the girls and the vineyard, which was what the clients were after.
Bonus tip:Photographing sibling sets with a 24mm lens also allows you to see the height differences between siblings more easily (thanks to the wider perspective), which is something that a lot of parents really enjoy.
Image taken with a Canon 60D and a 50mm lens.
Think about the background color
Another thing to consider, besides the contents of the background in your images, is the coloring of the background.
In the image above, the deep-colored wood background brings a moodiness to the image that could be appropriate for a musician. However, the interesting thing is that the overall feeling of the image changes quite a bit when you look at it from the 24mm angle of view:
Image taken with a Canon 60D and a 24mm lens.
The second image, though in the same location, feels a lot less moody and dramatic than the first. The lighter stonework around the door brings a sense of balance to the image that just wouldn’t be achieved as well with the 50mm lens in this location.
In my experience, this balance is especially important when it comes to converting images to black and white.
As you can see in the left image, the lighter stonework around the darker door serves as a frame for the subject and naturally draws your eye in toward him.
In addition, the increased contrast and texture provides some of the key ingredients for black and white images, which makes the image on the left more aesthetically pleasing than the image on the right.
24mm vs 50mm: Try using both!
Overall, while there may be instances in which the content or coloring of your background may cause you to reach for one of these lenses over the other, I’m very much in favor of using both of them whenever possible.
Here’s a quick example from my own life to explain why both are so great for their own reasons. I recently photographed my girls in their Halloween costumes. I started with the 50mm lens because it’s my favorite:
Image taken with a Canon 60D and a 50mm lens.
I love this image of both girls – the 50mm lens really lets you see their faces and expressions, and the bokeh of the 50mm f/1.8 helped soften the construction site in the background of the image. However, the closer crop also means that only a small portion of their costumes is visible.
So I switched over to my 24mm lens to take a full-length photo (below) of my little monkey and lion.
Now I can really see them from head to toe. I can see the little fake feet of the monkey costume that freaked out my youngest daughter so much that she begged her sister to switch costumes with her. I can see the height difference between the two of them. I can see the black flats that my oldest daughter is so proud of and wears to any event that she deems remotely “fancy.”
Those are all things that I want to look back on and remember. I love both images for different reasons and am so happy to have them both, thanks to my trusty 24mm and 50mm lenses.
Image taken with a Canon 60D and a 24mm lens.
24mm vs 50mm for photographing people: conclusion
I hope this has given you a good idea of how these two focal lengths compare when photographing people.
Have you tried a 24mm lens? How do you use it? Do you have a 50mm lens and do you use it for people photography? Which lens is your favorite? Please share your comments and images below!
They come in many shapes and sizes! ‘Wheels’ on a car, bike, whatever – wheels on their own, detail shots of wheels, there are many ways to approach this challenge – how will you make your photograph, this week, unique? Tag this week is #dPSWheels
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The wheels on a motorbike when I was learning to pan.BMX’ers doing their thing (Bonus point if you say where this was taken in the comments!)Or your car, on the side of a hill!
Great! Where do I upload my photos?
Simply upload your shot into the comments field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see. Or, if you’d prefer, upload them to your favourite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them.
Share in the dPS Facebook Group
You can also share your images in the dPS Facebook group as the challenge is posted there each week as well.
If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites – tag them as #DPSWheels to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.
With major camera companies dedicating themselves more fully to mirrorless technology, it might surprise you to learn that Nikon isn’t giving up on their DSLRs just yet.
Despite the recent launch of the Z6 II and the Z7 II, and despite the handful of Z-mount cameras and lenses in the works, Nikon still plans to debut two DSLRs sometime in 2021, according to an “internal presentation” reported on by Nikon Rumors.
While the internal presentation discussed many items, some of which merely confirmed that which we already knew, the highlights include various interesting tidbits about Nikon mirrorless cameras versus DSLRs; up until now, Nikon DSLRs have actually performed better than their mirrorless counterparts in terms of sales, though Nikon predicts “within 60 days that mirrorless will outsell [the] F-mount.”
But presumably as a consequence of the still-significant DSLR sales, Nikon aims to launch two DSLRs next year, along with “several new F-mount lenses.”
What DSLRs will these be?
A safe bet is that at least one will be a mid-level or entry-level Nikon model, especially because this is one area where Nikon lacks mirrorless counterparts. We might see a Nikon D3600, for instance, which should be a relatively low-priced option aimed at beginners (though bear in mind that it was rumored over a year ago that Nikon was canceling its Nikon D3500 lineup). Alternatively, we might get a more midrange option: a Nikon D7600, which is long overdue and should offer higher-end capabilities, such as fast autofocusing and strong low-light performance.
In fact, these models would correspond pretty closely to two of Canon’s few DSLR releases in the past year or so: the entry-level Canon EOS 850D (also known as the Rebel T8i) and the mid-level Canon 90D.
The second new DSLR is likely a Nikon D850 replacement; this would be a high-resolution professional model, designed for landscape and commercial shooters in particular (but with the potential to work as a wildlife or event camera, as well!).
As for the new lenses, it’s anybody’s guess, but I suspect they’ll cater more toward beginners (assuming the new cameras are entry-level models) and professional sports photography, which is one area where DSLRs are still the overwhelming choice.
Ultimately, I’m not sure Nikon’s DSLR lineup can withstand the next five or so years; it’s very possible these 2021 cameras will be some of the last DSLRs that Nikon releases. Regardless, for DSLR shooters, it’ll be nice to look forward to a couple more cameras and lenses over the coming year!
Now over to you:
What do you think these DSLRs and lenses will be? And do you think they’ll be some of Nikon’slast DSLR products? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The term creative block describes a condition that ranges from having difficulty coming up with new ideas to being completely unable to produce useable creative work.
Some common triggers for creative blocks include timing, stress, boredom, fatigue, fear, and anxiety.
However, there are many simple methods that can help tackle this beast head-on.
1. Get some rest
The creative process (and daily life in general) can take both a mental and physical toll, and one of the key factors that can trigger a creative block is fatigue.
Making time to recuperate is not only good for the creative process, but for mental health overall.
2. Write
The written word is a powerful tool, and one of the many ways to overcome creative blocks. Actively maintaining a notebook full of creative ideas can come in handy in the event of a creative lull. Keeping a journal, blogging consistently, or even doing creative writing can help remove a creative barrier.
Brainstorming is another written exercise that prompts creative thinking. Select an aspect of photography and write down as many associated ideas and phrases as possible within a short amount of time. Often the results can deliver unique new creative perspectives.
3. Listen to music
It’s been scientifically proven that music can help calm activity in the brain, reducing anxiety and restoring emotional balance.
So whether it’s listening while at work, rest, or play, music can aid in restoring creative flow.
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | 1/40s | f/4.5 | ISO 320
4. Sketch your surroundings
Grab a drawing medium and a sheet of paper (or a tablet, touchscreen computer, etc.) and quickly sketch as much of the surrounding detail as possible for five minutes.
Furniture, cameras, people, shadows, animals, trees, plants, textures…draw anything that makes up the immediate area.
While it may seem simple, making rough sketches encourages mindfulness, utilizes creativity without the pressure of perfection, and reveals the creative possibilities of your surroundings.
5. Have a change of scenery
Even a simple walk in the park has been proven to combat creative block.
After all, new places inspire new thought patterns. A change of scenery is a simple way to get into a more creative mindset.
6. Gear up
One of the ways to overcome creative blocks is to seek out new equipment.
Trying out new gear sounds expensive, but economical accessories like extension tubes, prisms, and filters can have a significant creative influence on photographic practice.
Even old cameras and lenses sourced from thrift stores can present new challenges and opportunities to engage with photography and therefore reinvigorate creativity.
Extension tubes are an economical way to get into macro photography. Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | 1/125s | f/4.0 | ISO 100
7. Be distracted
Embracing distraction seems a little counterproductive, but putting an uncooperative artistic undertaking to one side for a while can be one of the best ways to combat a creative block.
Taking a break to reset and relax is conducive to a more fluid state of mind. Going for a walk, having a shower, and doing some tidying are all good ways to overcome creative blocks.
8. Seek inspiration
Creative minds feed on inspiration. Reading photography books and magazines, listening to podcasts, and researching artists can all chip away at a stubborn creative block.
Plus, due to the current shutdown, many galleries are creating virtual tours of art spaces online – which is a great opportunity to explore art establishments without leaving the comfort of your own home.
9. Photograph something new
It can be easy to get stuck photographing the same thing all the time. And while there is nothing wrong with specializing, adopting a new subject or technique can help get rid of a creative rut.
Photographing something entirely new not only serves as a refresher but can also build on the skills and habits you’ve previously established. For example, a portrait photographer experimenting with landscape photography can uncover new ways to combine the two in environmental portraiture.
While it can be difficult to take on a new project during a creative rut, doing photography outside your comfort zone can lead to significant artistic breakthroughs. By embracing a new format, photographers can expand their creativity and shift a stubborn creative block.
It may seem like this point contradicts item nine above. Nevertheless, we often forget to photograph the very subjects that made us love photography in the first place.
A lull is a great opportunity to return to photographing a neglected favorite subject, rekindling that passion for creative image-making.
11. Make a visual diary
In a creative lull, a good source of accessible inspirational material is invaluable. Visual diaries are collections of visual materials compiled in a comprehensive journal. Consisting of images, notes, samples, scribbles, diagrams, photographs, etc., visual diaries are a manifestation of a photographer’s creative thought processes.
One of the most popular visual diary formats is a simple spiral-bound art book (usually A4 or A5 in size). However, there are other ways that artists can maintain a visual record of artistic processes.
For instance, Pinterest, Instagram, and other online venues are great ways to keep track of inspirational artistic material. In the event of a creative lull, visual diaries are a great resource to look back on, and they can help plan your next creative step.
Ways to overcome creative blocks: Conclusion
While frustrating, creative blocks can represent a good opportunity to expand on creative practice.
From resting to listening to music to trying a new technique, there are many ways to overcome creative blocks – while building on personal creative processes at the same time.
Now over to you:
Do you have any tips for getting rid of creative blocks? Share them in the comments!
