Matt Williams

Senior Staff Writer

Matt Williams is a writer, photographer, and filmmaker, currently residing outside of Nashville, TN. He is passionate about the science, art, and history of photography. He is a fan of Paul Newman, Ingmar Bergman films, rare and unique lenses, fruit (not raspberries), and telling people on the Internet they’re wrong. Some of his favorite photographers are Saul Leiter, Berenice Abbott, Gregory Crewdson, Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham, and William Eggleston. Someday he’d like to work for Zeiss or Leica and promises to learn German if that happens. He is working on several photo projects and might finish them someday.

Articles by Matt Williams

The LomoGraflok 4×5 Instant Back Review: A New Twist for Large Format

Not many people own a 4x5 camera let along actually use them, which makes Lomography's new LomoGraflok 4x5 Instant Back particularly interesting. It allows those with 4x5 Graflok-equipped large format cameras to shoot with Fujifilm Instax Wide film It's niche, but should appeal to a very small, but passionate, group of photographers.

The Most Expensive Camera Lenses You Can Buy Right Now

Whether you are a working professional or a weekend hobbyist, the thrill of using truly exquisite gear is unmatched. We all work with what we have while salivating over what we cannot, and no matter how old we get, fancy toys never lose their luster. Do we need them? Probably not. Will we ever purchase them? Not likely. Will we spend hours staring at them? You bet. Nothing is as intoxicating to a photographer as good, outrageously expensive glass.

How the Kodak Brownie Changed Privacy Rights Forever

It was the kind of summer day that your mind instantly recalls when you hear the words “summer day”. Warm, sunny, gorgeous. William Meredith’s daughters, as was their habit when a day felt this good, lounging in the backyard, sunning in their swimsuits. All was peaceful -- until the girls entered the house, warning their father of an intruder in their backyard.

10 of the Most Expensive Cameras Ever

We all love interesting and perhaps somewhat obscure facts and anyone reading this site has at least a moderate interest in cameras -- and hopefully, their history. Part of that history includes the unique, weird, one-of-a-kind, and (you guessed it) extremely expensive cameras which have, in one way or another, played a role in paving the way to where we are today.

What is the Difference Between a CCD and CMOS Camera Sensor?

A lot of words have been written and exchanged about the difference between -- and possible advantages or disadvantages of -- CCD (charged-couple device) and CMOS (metal oxide semiconductor + active-pixel sensor) camera sensors. What really is the difference between them?

The Best Tripods in 2024

You've probably heard it before: a great tripod is one of the most valuable investments you can make as a photographer. Conversely, one of the worst investments you can make is buying a mediocre or straight-up bad tripod.

Are Cameras Actually More Expensive Now Than Ever Before?

There is a purveying sentiment that cameras have only gotten more expensive over time. While there is certainly some validity in certain sectors of the market, the truth about camera prices over time is a bit more nuanced and complex than the average person makes it out to be. So, let’s take a look.

The Best iPhone Camera Apps of 2024

Just as there is hardly a one-size-fits-all best DSLR or best mirrorless camera for any given user, there is certainly not any single best application for everyone. Users’ needs and preferences vary wildly, especially considering the extensive capabilities of today’s iPhones.

9 of History’s Rarest Cameras You Can Actually Buy

The history of photography is over a century old -- in fact, it was 107 years ago that Oskar Barnack created the Ur-Leica, a camera that would later be known as the genesis of the 36x24 “full-frame” format. Since then, hundreds of companies across the world have, to varying degrees of success, produced everything from 35mm to 127 to an assortment of medium format sizes and finally to digital.

9 of History’s Rarest Lenses That You Can Actually Buy

Through the history of camera development, thousands and thousands of different types of lenses have been designed and produced. Some did not advance beyond the prototype stage, some were privately commissioned, and naturally many were mass-produced to one degree or another. Of these, some are particularly rare.

The Best Free Photo Editing Apps in 2024

We are all likely familiar with Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop as far as editing applications go and a lot of people love these apps for their versatility and powerful suite of features. But they do come with a price, and paying a fee isn't always what every photographer is looking for.