PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY BLOG

In this XTAR Batteries review, I take a closer look at the AA CLR 4300, AA LR 3000 USB-C and AAA 1620 batteries. For videographers, photographers and content creators who rely on dependable power, these are well worth considering if quality and longevity matter more than simply buying the cheapest option.

NAB 2026 has produced plenty of interesting new photo and video gear, but these are the three products I am most looking forward to trying: the DJI Osmo Pocket 4, RØDELink II and EIZO ColorEdge CS3200X.

Lightroom presets can be a bit misunderstood. Some photographers absolutely love them, some dismiss them as a shortcut, and others download a preset pack, try it once, then never really use it again. In my opinion, all of those approaches miss the point slightly.

The Neewer HB80C is a compact 80W RGB COB video light with a built-in battery, Bowens mount and plenty of flexibility for photographers and videographers. In this review, I take a look at its strengths, weaknesses and who it is best suited to.

I headed to The Photography & Video Show 2026 at the NEC Birmingham to soak up the latest gear, talks and creative inspiration. Here’s my experience from the day — and why my video is the best way to get a true feel for the event.

I love Birmingham at the best of times but give it a fresh sprinkling of snow and you have something really special. As Storm Goretti made its way across the country, countless Birmingham Photographers licked their lips at the idea of capturing some beautiful scenes of our city covered in the white stuff!

The Yashica Mat 124 G is a medium format twin-lens reflex camera known for its sharp Yashinon lenses, built-in light meter, and classic design. However, is this a budget beauty that can stand up to it’s more expensive rivals or simply a conversation starter? Let’s find out…

The Outer Hebrides, in the far reaches of Scotland’s Western Isles, are often described as one of the most beautiful places in the UK — and arguably, the world. So it is no surprise that Landscape photographers and those seeking adventure flock to the remote islands in search of beauty in this barren landscape. 

Atomos Ninja TX GO is a 5" 1500-nit monitor-recorder that adds CFexpress Type B, Wi-Fi/cloud workflows, and HDMI camera control + touch-to-focus (on supported cameras)—making it a meaningful upgrade for creators who want a brighter screen, faster media and tighter camera integration.

Writing product reviews is actually more difficult than most people think, in particular when that product is something that a lot of people use on a daily basis and tend not to make really in-depth purchasing decisions about, like buying a mouse for your computer. However, even the most mundane products can be exciting in the right hands and MX Master 4 is certainly one of those! Let me explain why it is so special and indulge me as I compare this little chunk of plastic to a Porsche 911! 

I love a bargain as much as the next person and whenever ‘Black Friday’ rolls around, I find a comfy chair, a cup of coffee and arm myself with my credit card waiting to snag myself a deal! However, this annual homage to consumerism isn’t always the money-saving bonanza that we think it is and quite often we can find ourselves spending more than we’d planned to! So how can you take best advantage of the Black Friday deals? I’ve added my top tips to give you a chance of actually grabbing a bargain and not going bust! 

The purpose of a small, compact camera is that it can go everywhere with and the X10 makes for a great companion. So would I recommend it, absolutely. I think as long as you have the patience to use it, the know how to work with the camera to get the best results and modest expectations for the final output, then this is a dream of a camera.

While it might seem archaic to even have a printer nowadays when emails and DMs exist, for photographers, there might still be value in needing to quickly and easily print your photos, especially so in the case of the Canon Selphy CP1500.

Having a good desk setup is critical for Photographers and Videographers to produce their best work. It might not be as sexy as talking about the latest cameras or delving into vintage lenses because you want to create something organic! However, having a cluttered, poorly organised setup is not just bad for your creative process, but you could even be causing yourself long term health issues! With all of this in mind, I felt it was time to sort out my setup. Hopefully, it will also give you a few ideas of how you can change your own setup!

As we hurtle towards 2026, I suddenly realised that I am heading into my 16th year of being a photographer. In that time, I’ve learnt a lot about the technical aspects of photography but also a lot about the photography and videography industry as a whole. Now, I want to share some of my insights to help customers and fellow professionals get the most out of the opportunities on offer. To start this off, I want to look at five tips that can help clients choose the right event photographer for them and how to avoid some common mistakes when selecting a photographer.

Over the past few years, there has been a real shift towards photographers wanting their images to look more cinematic. It’s not necessarily something you will see in commercial photography but on social media, there are countless accounts dedicated to the cinematic aesthetic, and they are incredibly popular! So how do you make your images look cinematic? I took an evening stroll to see what I could create. 

When I started out, over 15 years ago, I would never have believed all of the features that we take for granted in a consumer level camera. Incredible autofocus, high resolution stills, 4k video with effective wide-dynamic range (Log) - With the Canon PowerShot V1 launched in April 2025, we now have all of that and much more in our pocket. When I think about it, it really is mind blowing. However, it does all come at a cost, let's find out if it’s worth it… Oh, and I will have a video review coming soon so be sure to check out my YouTube Channel…

As a self-employed videographer and content creator, finding the right tools for professional audio capture without breaking the bank can often feel like an uphill battle. Whether you’re shooting commercial videos, podcasts, or YouTube content, reliable audio gear is as essential as a good camera. Enter the Comica VM40 Microphone Combo Kit, a product promising high-quality audio at a relatively affordable price point. But does it live up to expectations?

The 2025 Photography & Videography show took place at ExCel London and I made the journey south and took a look around. In this video, I share my highlights from the show and give you a feel for what the event was like, My particular highlights were getting to play with the new Sigma BF - a beautiful new camera. I also got to try the Canon C400 and C80 video cameras which I am very interested in as well as a host of other really cool stands and exhibitions. Watch the video below for my full highlights.

The Fuji X10 could be one of the best budget alternatives to the legendary Fuji X100V and similar style cameras. However, can a camera from 2011 really compete with the modern day lowlight monsters? In this video I look at the pro’s and obvious con’s of comparing a camera over a decade older than it’s modern counterparts. I have previously written about the Fuji X10 and it’s fair to say I was a fan then, but has anything changed?

As a self-employed videographer, the quest for tools that enhance creativity and efficiency is a neverending one. The DigitalFoto Bowens Mount Snoot emerges as a compelling accessory, promising to refine lighting techniques and introduce nuanced effects into videography projects. It is something that I long wanted to try in the hope of elevating my lighting techniques to the next level. So, I headed to the obvious retailer, whipped out the credit card and waited anxiously for my delivery!

I love using different cameras and whether they are film or digital, photo or video focussed - every one of them brings something unique. I thought I would share my favourite cameras that I have used throughout 2024 and there may be a few in there that surprise you. Take a look at the video and let me know in the comments what your favourite camera of 2024 has been!

I have previously reviewed the Pro Light Cineloader Medium and it’s fair to say that I absolutely loved it! So when Manfrotto reached out to me and asked if I would like to try the Small version, it was an instant yes! I would highly recommend reading my review of the medium as the small is almost exactly the same, just smaller… It boasts the same excellent build quality, thoughtful design and offers a great level of protection for your gear - but let’s take a closer look, I’ll keep it brief.

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to start planning for the next twelve months and I thought it might be good to share my thoughts on some gear that I would love to get my hands on in 2025! It would be really easy just to list off a load of dream cameras and lenses but that’s not really what this is about. Each of these items would help make a significant difference in either my workflow or the quality of my final output and let’s face it, that’s what all of this is really about.

The Bellroy Venture Travel Pack 26L is a versatile and thoughtfully designed backpack that offers photographers a blend of style, functionality, and durability. As a photographer constantly on the move, I've found this pack to be an excellent companion for both urban adventures and outdoor shoots. However, does its stylish looks outweigh its practicality? Let’s find out…

Sometimes, you have to put your hand up and say you were wrong and for me, I was wrong about Teleprompters. I always assumed they weren’t necessary and as long as you knew what you were talking about and felt confident enough, they were just a waste of money. That was until I tried out the Prompter People Pocket Cue V3 4K - A literal game changer for how I produce and make video content and instantly a must-have piece of kit. 

The Sekonic L-858D Speedmaster light meter is a sophisticated tool that has become increasingly popular among photographers, particularly those working with film. This advanced meter offers a range of features that cater to both digital and analog photography needs, making it a versatile choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike. In addition, it could be useful for those working with video and filmmakers who need a professional grade light meter, let’s take a closer look. 

I get a lot of questions about my cameras and how I set them up, so I thought I would share my Canon R5C Cinema rig build. This setup is designed to be minimal yet feature rich, capable of shooting great, cinematic footage in most scenarios. Check the video description for links to all of the products used in this rig build. It might be a little bit ‘geeky’ but I hope you find it useful - leave a comment below if you do :)