The Photographer’s Guide to Breaking Your Own Rules

Left: A wall decorated with cowboy hat shapes, a window, and a row of chairs. Right: An abandoned, weathered U.S. Air Force jet resting on the ground under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

After 25 years behind the camera, OM SYSTEM photographer Jerred Zegelis thought he knew the rules of photography. Shoot RAW. Stay neutral. Fix it in post. Art Filters are for amateurs. These weren't suggestions. For Zegelis, they were law, absorbed from forums, tutorials, and years of professional habit.

A close-up of a Hasselblad digital camera body, showing the lens mount and sensor. The camera sits on a grid-patterned surface with a black background.

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C Honors its Legacy While Embracing the Future

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is the company's best demonstration yet of how medium format photography doesn't have to come with compromises. Gone are the days of huge, heavy cameras, sluggish and unreliable autofocus, and an obtuse user experience. The X2D II 100C delivers the exceptional image quality photographers expect from medium format and represents the mature roadmap of the company to stand out in the medium format camera industry.

Side-by-side images of a Meike 85mm f/1.8 camera lens: on the left, the lens stands upright with branding visible; on the right, the lens lies on its side showing the front glass element.

Meike Found a Loophole for Canon’s Closed RF Mount

It's 2026, and Canon has been making full-frame EOS R-series mirrorless cameras since 2018. That has not stopped Chinese lens company Meike from releasing a new 85mm f/1.8 Mark II lens for Canon EF-mount DSLR cameras, which seems strange at first glance, but is actually a clever way to bypass Canon's restrictions on third-party full-frame RF lenses with autofocus.

A hand adjusts the settings on a Westcott FJ200 strobe light, which is mounted on a tripod. The background is out of focus with autumn-colored foliage.

Westcott’s FJ250 Strobe Boasts the Best Battery Life in its Class

Westcott's new FJ250 250Ws Touchscreen Strobe is an exciting entry-level monolight for photographers who need reliable power, fast performance, and a compact footprint on location. Positioned in Westcott's refreshed lineup below the FJ400 II and FJ800, the FJ250 replaces the popular FJ200 and introduces several user-requested upgrades into a more accessible package.

A black camera backpack is shown next to a camera and three lenses. The bag is open, revealing organized compartments with a camera body attached to a lens, plus three additional lenses.

Think Tank’s New Photo Backpacks Ditch Dividers for Pouches and Straps

Think Tank's redesigned Shape Shifter 25L and 37L backpacks promises to better serve photographers whether they are working in the field, transporting gear from shoot to shoot, or traveling afar. Think Tank specifically targets the backpack at fast-moving photojournalists, but it is built for all photographers who need to carry a lot of gear safely and access it quickly.

Four camera stabilizers, each holding a different device: a DSLR camera, a mirrorless camera, a smartphone, and an action camera, are displayed on black podiums against a dark background.

Hohem’s New Gimbals Have a Built-in Camera for AI Subject Tracking

Hohem has announced the iSteady MT3 series, bringing its latest artificial intelligence–driven tracking tools to a new generation of prosumer camera stabilizers. Designed to support mirrorless cameras, action cameras, and smartphones, the MT3 lineup focuses on intelligent subject tracking, flexible mounting, and long battery life in a compact, travel-ready design.

Antigravity A1 Drone Review: There Has Never Been Anything Quite Like It

A drone with propellers and a remote control.

If you're looking at picking up a drone, you probably are thinking of one made by DJI, or another DJI, or yet a third DJI option. Others have tried, but largely, all have failed to get a solid foothold. However, this only refers to the drone market that appeals to the creative videographers. When it comes to the first-person view (or FPV) market, there are many brands vying for attention.

Craig, the Photographer-Favorite ‘Super Tusker’ African Elephant, Has Passed Away

A black and white photo of an African elephant with extremely long, curved tusks standing on open land, with a dramatic cloudy sky in the background. The elephant is photographed from a low angle, emphasizing its size.

Craig, widely considered one of the most photographed elephants in the world, died over the weekend at 54 years old. Tributes have poured in from many wildlife and nature photographers who captured Craig's portrait during his long life. Craig, a "super tusker" elephant, was much more than a wonderful elephant; he was a symbol for wildlife conservation in his native Kenya and beyond.

Three camera lenses labeled AF 24mm, AF 50mm, and AF 85mm are displayed on a dark reflective surface with a warm gradient background, positioned upright with the 50mm lens in the center.

7Artisans’ New f/1.8 APS-C Primes are ‘Lite’ in Name, Size, and Price

7Artisans is continuing its push into autofocus territory with the announcement of three new APS-C prime lenses designed to balance modern convenience with aggressive pricing. The newly unveiled AF 25mm f/1.8, AF 35mm f/1.8, and AF 50mm f/1.8 Lite target Sony E and Fujifilm X shooters looking for compact, everyday primes without the cost or bulk typically associated with first-party glass.