How Digital Photography Killed Experimentation

The latest from the Phoblographer for October 9th, 2025.

Author

Chris Gampat
October 09, 2025

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Here’s the latest:

Panasonic S1II E vs Nikon Z6 III: Battle of the 24MP Beasts

By Nilofer Khan

October 9, 2025

When it comes to photography, one often looks for the best camera for themselves. While there are multiple full-frame cameras to choose from, one usually looks at options such as Canon and Sony. However, today we have two new offerings that will certainly help you to make an informed choice: Panasonic and Nikon. If you are looking for a new camera, see which of the two can be of help to you.

How Digital Photography Killed Experimentation

By Chris Gampat

October 9, 2025

There have been many times where I've stood in a photography exhibit staring in awe at the images in front of me. Typically, they'd be made using analog processes. I'd read about using smoke in the darkroom, the wrong chemicals for cross-processing, expired film being used, etc. Analog photography allows for a million times more experiments gone wrongfully right -- please read that statement again before you go on. And we all need to realize that digital photography is the result of companies trying to make something as clean and sterile as you possibly can so that you can add whatever you want later. It doesn't allow for intention within the camera to happen as easily. And more importantly, it's lead to monopolies controlling how we shoot and process images.

The 3 Best Full Frame Prime Lenses That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

By Nilofer Khan

October 9, 2025

The year 2017 was quite interesting for photography. It had been a while since Sony introduced its mirrorless, and so did Leica. However, it was just a year prior to Nikon and Canon also putting their foot in the game. Either way, like the cameras of its time, the lenses in this part are also unique in their own way. If you are someone who wants to buy a prime lens for your needs today, these options cpuld be of interest.

Why Your Camera Struggles at Night

By Chris Gampat

October 9, 2025

We've all had this issue: you're shooting photos at night and your battery starts to drain quicker than normal. So obviously, you have backups. But you'd be amazed at how you can make a few changes to prolong your camera's battery life. It all starts with something that I like to call Responsible and Sustainable Shooting. This idea rests on being moderate and is much more in-line with shooting the way that photographers have done when they are careful from the start.

The Valoi easy35 Is The Most Convenient Way To Scan Negatives

By Feroz Khan

October 8, 2025

Shooting a roll of analog film and developing negatives can be an enjoyable experience. However, scanning those negatives to create digital files is often slow, cumbersome, and requires heavy equipment. Copy stands, tripods, light pads, and a tangle of cables can sap your energy and time. The Valoi easy35 aims to change that by drastically cutting down the digitizing time and effort.

Panasonic LUMIX S1 II is the New Multiple Exposure King

By Alberto Lima

October 8, 2025

Since its original launch, the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II and S1 IIE have been solid cameras for photographers who are primarily interested in stills photography. From its rugged design to the wealth of photo-centric features set, the LUMIX S1 II is designed to be a workhorse camera for the working professional photographer. During our recent test period, we used the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II to capture an event and slice-of-life moments in New York City; here’s what we learned.

The Profoto B20: Is Bigger Really Better?

By Alberto Lima

October 8, 2025

When Profoto sent over the new B20 strobe for review, I was instantly concerned by the box that showed up at my doorstep. It was a massive and heavy cardboard box that was hiding a safely packed backpack with the light, a trigger, and the necessary charging brick. Upon unpacking, what instantly stood out was the weight. The B20 is a beefier successor to the B10 and B10X, and while there’s a lot more strobe to go around, in this review, we ask if bigger necessarily means better.

The Best Communities for Photographers Who Hate Social Media in 2025

By Chris Gampat

October 8, 2025

If you are looking for a place besides Instagram to post your images, then we've got just what you need. Years ago, we wrote a guide for photographers on finding communities. And consider this an update of sorts. These are the best communities for photographers in 2025 -- you can think of them as anti-social media in some ways.

The Best Cameras From 2017 That Still Shine in 2025

By Nilofer Khan

October 8, 2025

Full frame cameras are in high demand. The devices are exceptional in terms of light-gathering capabilities, offering the highest resolution and capturing better images in low light. While there are many new models today, there are a few from the past that continue to shine even today. 2017, for instance, is one year where the industry saw some exceptional models that won over millions. Here's a look at the top three.