DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Is VERO the solution to the Instagram problem?

Oct 15, 2022 by David Williams 2 Comments
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

It’s fair to say that almost all Instagram users are peeved at the crazy drop in engagement lately. If this was the only concern we had, I guess we’d stick with the program and find a solution, but it isn’t. The other major curveball that flew in at us is that the photo-sharing app is now apparently focused on anything but photos. Reels, videos, and ads are flooding our feeds, and countless photographers are voting with their feet and starting to build a presence on VERO in Peter McKinnon’s wake. He has put out two YouTube videos to encourage people over to VERO in the past month, which can be found here and here. Now, I’m a big fan of Peter and his achievements, but let’s look at this in the most entertaining way possible: a fight!

VERO is built around being ‘True Social.’ They proudly state that they’re ad-free and algorithm-free. This is where Instagram started, and users are calling for a chronological feed to be brought back as standard, replacing the algorithm-driven feed we have now. There is a way to achieve this, but it requires some tapping around. Let’s give VERO a point for this.

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Should photographers be worried about AI in photography?

Oct 2, 2022 by David Williams 1 Comment
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Artificial Intelligence in photography is showing huge growth. We’re even seeing our social media feeds flooded with AI-created images. Just last month, we saw that an AI-generated image won first place at a fine arts competition. We’ve also seen Getty Images moving away from  AI-generated images. I agree with this decision, but we also need to address the wider landscape because, quite simply, AI art isn’t going away.

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

XenceLabs versus Wacom – there’s a clear winner

Sep 30, 2022 by David Williams 3 Comments
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

The graphics tablet scene has been hit hard with the launch of a range of tablets by XenceLabs. Founded in 2019, XenceLabs is formed mainly of former Wacom employees. According to them, they were stuck in a rut and hitting brick walls put up by upper management when they were at Wacom. The designers, developers, and engineers could not smash through this brick wall and decided to go ahead and make XenceLabs to break free of the corporate shackles. Of course, I wasn’t really there, so I can’t say for sure, but this is the narrative they share.

XenceLabs currently offers us a small handful of tablets: the Medium SE, the Medium, and the Small. The sleek design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also offers us a comfortable and convenient pen experience and feels like a premium product, particularly in the Nebula White color. Wacom offers similar devices. To be honest, they were offering them first. A sample of the range includes the Wacom Intuos, Wacom Intuos Pro, and Wacom Cintiq Pro. So different price range for different uses and creatives.

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Instagram hates photographers

Jun 12, 2022 by David Williams 7 Comments
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

The metaverse is a strange place. The outward visage of the social media giant is that it’s a place where people can express their views and their creativity. The truth of the matter is that it’s all a front for ad revenue. I know, it’s hardly a surprise, but in the interest of revenue, this gargantuan brand has declared war on photographers in the interest of cash flow.

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Trending Quizzes

DIYP Quiz: So, you think you know film cameras?

quiz film camera from the back

DIYP Quiz: Cameras in the movies

diyp quiz cameras movies

DIYP Quiz: How much storage does it have?

diyp quiz how much storage

more quizzes

Eight photography podcasts you should follow for inspiration and education

Apr 21, 2022 by David Williams 1 Comment
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Constant education and inspiration are important in photography. The worlds best photographers will share the fact that they’re constantly learning and refining their skills. A great way to get this inspiration is through podcasts that we can listen to in the background when we edit images. There have been a few new podcasts come onto the scene during and after lockdown. Here’s the DIY Photography list of great photography podcasts for you to listen to.

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

The northern lights are spectacular this year, but the strongest are still to come

Apr 16, 2022 by David Williams 6 Comments
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

The northern lights have hit headlines lately as solar flares have sent charged plasma hurtling through space at break-neck speeds. We’ve had reports of aurora being visible at seriously low latitudes, including Luxembourg. There’s a reason for this, and any nighttime photographers need to know what’s going on.

I’ve written a book about the northern lights. It’s a huge passion of mine and I’ve made it my mission to educate myself on nature’s greatest light show as much as I possibly can. I was lucky enough to have spent the past winter travelling throughout the Arctic in my van. I witnessed the aurora on an almost nightly basis and enhanced my knowledge through research and observation. While I love to dive into the science and the technicalities, I’ll spare you those details in favour of the more exciting stuff.

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Hands on with the Platypod eXtreme

Apr 9, 2022 by David Williams Add Comment
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

We recently covered the launch of the Platypod eXtreme. It’s the latest of Platypod’s Kickstarter projects and it’s part f their flat tripod line, coming in at $119 on Kickstarter.  I have had one in my hands since late January. I took it with me to Iceland, Croatia, Wales, and a number of other places to test. Here are my thoughts.

The eXtreme boasts a few improvements on the Platypod Max (reviewed here), which is the model it most closely resembles. There are some clear upgrades to this model and it will be my go-to “tripod” for low-angle shots. The weight of the eXtreme is up there on the list, it weighs only 9.6oz versus the Max which comes in at 12.9oz (and is actually smaller). The construction of the eXtreme is where the weight saving comes in. There are more cut-outs for accessory use and to make space for the collapsible screw legs, which gives the eXtreme its angular-looking aesthetic. The material itself, which is aircraft-grade aluminum, remains the same high quality as before, and the thickness is the same.

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

The best vloggig rig – its quite unorthodox

Nov 27, 2021 by David Williams Add Comment
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

I’ve only recently gotten into vlogging with my new YouTube channel, and I’m far more used to being in front of someone else’s camera for videos so this is a new world for me. I’ve played around and done a lot of research to figure out the ideal vlogging rig, and I think I’ve managed to create it.

Let’s start by defining what makes the ideal vlogging rig. It’s important to have a capable camera with a preview screen that can face the content creator (that would be me). Perhaps more important than the camera is the audio – we will watch bad video, but we won’t listen to bad audio! Next up, lighting. In low light conditions, we need to add our own light, and we should be able to match the colour temperature of the ambient light. Finally, a good, sturdy base for when we put the camera down and something ergonomic to hold onto. So, here’s my solution: –

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

I left more than footprints on my last photo trip to Scotland

Oct 31, 2021 by David Williams 1 Comment
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

I recently wrote about the tech I’ve put in my van to make it perfect for me as a travel photographer on the road. I was able to utilise my printer whilst in Scotland. Here’s how:

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

How I modified my van to fit my traveling photographer lifestlye

Oct 28, 2021 by David Williams Add Comment
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Living on the road as a travel photographer has its fair share of ups and downs. As the seasons change and the cold draws in I’m certainly beginning to feel it, but they do rightly say that bad weather makes great photos. In a recent post I explained my vanlife decision. Today I’m dropping back in on that subject with more detail about how my van is made for travel photography.

[Read More…]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • Next Page »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • SheClicks launches brand new Women in Photography podcast
  • Expert advice for photographers: How to use Google Search Console
  • It’s time to dump Drobo as parent company goes into liquidation
  • Add ‘excitement’ to every shoot with StockCam’s gun-like camera accessory
  • This is why you never take “hot” passport photos

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy