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This Company Chose AI Over Real Photography
The latest from the Phoblographer for February 4th, 2026.
Chris Gampat
February 04, 2026
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Here’s the latest:
The Two Best Lenses for Portrait Photographers to Adapt
By Nilofer Khan
February 4, 2026
Portrait photography is one of the most dominant genres of the medium. Over the years, the images have changed a lot, with many photographers still dreaming of luscious bokeh and sharpness together. If you are someone who wants to invest in a lens that is cost-effective, then you have these two third-party offerings from a decade ago. Consider adapting these to your cameras. Have a look!
Profoto Just Did the One Thing to Piss off Real Photographers
By Chris Gampat
February 4, 2026
Here at the Phoblographer, we've been the biggest champions of putting humans first before AI. We've got disclaimers and all to back that up -- plus, we're the only photography-speciality publication we know of that is part of Adobe's Content Authenticity Initiative. That's why what Profoto recently did on Facebook is just so incredibly jarring. And if you consider yourself a real photographer instead of some content creator, then you'll be really angry at what Profoto has recently done.
If You Shoot in Auto Mode, Are You Even a Real Photographer?
By Chris Gampat
February 4, 2026
Several years ago, I remember being at a Sony press conference and asking the technical reps why Sony put an automatic mode on one of their highest-end cameras. With a smile, the now-retired rep told me that there are tons of parents who spend money on high-end cameras, don't know how to use them, and expect to shoot in auto and get great results. Sony's Artisans have told me that it's good for when you want to hand the camera off to someone else. So does that mean that auto mode isn't for photographers at all?
Ricoh Signals Openness to a GR Film Camera as Demand Grows
By Nilofer Khan
February 4, 2026
Ricoh has been one of the few APS-C sensor cameras to gather cult-like status since its launch. Ask any street photographer, and you get a positive response about the camera's lineup. While the company introduced a few new models, including a dedicated Monochrome camera, it now appears that the company may introduce a new model that will cater to analog users. Here's a look.
This Classic Tamron Lens Can Still Make Beautiful Portraits
By Chris Gampat
February 4, 2026
Don't get me wrong, there's an audience for the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD lens. But when I reviewed it last year, something felt a bit off and a bit more soulless than many of the company's other lenses. Very recently, it made me think back to the 90mm f2.8 released in 2016. So when I dove back into that review, I realized just how magical the output was from that lens. No wonder it earned an Editor's Choice award from us back in 2016.
Why You Should Not Shoot Like Garry Winogrand
By Nilofer Khan
February 3, 2026
When it comes to photography, we are often told to mimic the works of great photographers. One reason is that imitation often leads to new learning, while training one's eye in the rules of composition. Some of the names that often come to mind during such teachings are Ansel Adams, Henry Cartier-Bresson, and Alfred Steiglitz, amongst others. However, one name often pops up during these conversations is Garry Winogrand, whose cultural footprint continues to echo in many classrooms. While he is a revered subject, we believe he is one figure who should not be followed. Why so? Continue reading to find our response.
This May be the Most Important Year for Photographers to Do This
By Chris Gampat
February 3, 2026
Yes, I know this sounds urgent. And it kind of is. It's about the long-term sustainability of the Phoblographer. Real talk: if everyone who came to the site was charged $1, I'd have enough money in under a week to fund the website for the entire year without banner ads. Trust me, if I could get rid of banner ads, I would. But the truth is that they help the staff get paid, the server bill get settled, etc. And with the current state of the economy, things are tougher for publications than ever. But the Phoblographer's annual banner-ad-free subscription is only $25/year. That's kind of like you're only paying a bit over $2 a month. With that said, if everyone who came to the site in the period of a month bought a year-long subscription, we'd have enough money to fund the website and grow it for several years to come.
The Nikon DSLR That’s About to Become Expensive
By Nilofer Khan
February 3, 2026
Nikon cameras, especially their DSLRs, have proved what the company is capable of. From launches such as the D500 to more professional models such as the D6, Nikon has offered rugged devices that can withstand any weather. However, unlike other cameras, this full frame DSLR is about to get more expensive. What are we talking about? The Nikon D850.
A Year with the Nikon Zf: Is There Buyer’s Regret?
By Chris Gampat
February 3, 2026
This article is being written in December of 2025, but is being published in February 2026. And around a year ago, I bought the Nikon Zf. The reasons were plentiful: I wanted a full-frame retro camera that I could afford, and that looked good. So after looking on eBay, I found a great deal for a grey colored body. It's not the Leica M11-D that I really wanted. And in some ways, I still yearn for a camera like that. However, in many other ways, I've thoroughly enjoyed what the Nikon Zf has given me, despite a consistent problem that has led me to lose faith in Nikon's ability to address it.