Welcome to TechRadar Photography Week 2021. It's World Photography Day on August 19, but instead of spending just one day celebrating one of the best pastimes on the planet, we thought it deserved a whole week of attention. So join us every day this week for a quick series of features and tutorials on all things photography, whether you're using a smartphone or a DSLR. Photography has changed a lot since the advent of the first popular form of photography, the “daguerotype process,” in 1839. Back then, each exposure took about fifteen minutes. Today, more than 1,000 photos are uploaded to Instagram every second. But this is only the beginning of the photographic revolution that is currently taking place. Whether you're interested in AI-powered photo editing, digital cameras, or in-game photo modes, it's an exciting time to create images. So we've lined up a series of features that delve into all of these topics, and more, in our look at the future of photography. It is not that the most classic forms of capture are left behind. By contrast, shooting traditional landscapes and portraits has never been more popular, especially with increasingly capable smartphones. During Photography Week, we'll be publishing a series of guides for professional photographers that show you how to quickly improve your photography every day. Just click on the 'improve your photography' tab on the left to find them. As fun as it is to take your own photos, sometimes you just want to admire the inspiring work and achievements of others. So we'll also be celebrating some of the best work in recent memory in our roundup of the best photos of the year so far, as well as a fascinating look at the weirdest cameras in photographer Tony Kemplen's massive collection. Whether he's a smartphone enthusiast or a film camera veteran, we hope there's something for you during TechRadar Photography Week 2021, running August 15-22. And even if you're allergic to pressing camera shutters, there'll be some great photos to look at, and who doesn't love doing that?
- TechRadar 2021 photography week will take place from August 15 to 21. Here are some of the features you can read about right now, as well as a taste of others coming soon...
The future of photography
Photography enters one of the most fascinating periods in its history. From AI-powered editing to the game's powerful photo modes, technology transforms the art form into brilliant (and sometimes spooky) new forms. In this series of reports, we take a look at how cameras and photography are evolving and where it's all headed.
How AI animates your old family photos and where the deepfakes go
(Image credit: MyHeritage) One of the biggest photo stories of the year was the viral hit of “Deep Nostalgia,” which turned our old family photos into animated, soulful versions that were both flirty and edgy. We spoke to the makers of the technology, an Israeli company called D-ID, about how it works and where it's headed. Hint: "synthetic media" is just getting started.
Inside the Alice Camera: Why Your Maker Believes This Is the Future of Mirrorless Cameras
(Image credit: Photogram AI) Alice Camera in an exciting Indiegogo project that aims to combine mirrorless camera hardware with fancy menus and smartphone connectivity. Slide your phone into the back of the camera and get the best of both worlds, or that's the idea. The project is moving towards its October 2021 launch goal; In this revealing conversation with the creators of Alice Camera, Photogram AI, we find out why the British computer photography company thinks it has the special glue it needs to marry these seemingly incompatible concepts. . .
Soon this week...
How Nikon built the Nikon Zfc and why it thinks the future of cameras is retro
(Image credit: Avenir) Traditional camera giants like Nikon are coming under fire from smartphones and computer photography. How do they defend themselves? One of its best weapons is legacy, which Nikon has deployed to stunning effect in the new Nikon Zfc. In an exclusive conversation with Nikon designers, we find out how they designed the Zfc, their favorite design features, and why they decided to make a mirrorless retro camera in 2021 (available during Photography Week, August 15-22).
How Season on PS5 is bringing the game's photo modes to the future
(Image credit: Scavengers Studio) In-game photography has never been bigger, with great games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Spider-Man, not to mention groundbreaking indie titles like Pupperazi, featuring increasingly sophisticated photography modes. However, one of the most exciting capture-themed games is the upcoming season on PS5, which combines camera-based exploration with Studio Ghibli-style visuals. In an exclusive conversation with its creators Scavengers Studio, we find out what inspired the game and how it plans to take photo mode to immersive new heights. (Coming soon during Photography Week, August 15-22)
The mirrorless camera of my dreams runs on Android, so why hasn't anyone built a good one yet?
(Image credit: Yongnuo) Mirrorless cameras have come a long way over the past decade, but their interfaces and connectivity still feel like they're from a pre-smartphone era. So why hasn't anyone created a killer Android camera yet? A frustrated TechRadar photographer shares his experiences with nearly modern cameras that almost fail to fail and his everlasting hopes for something that truly shapes the usability of smartphones with powerful camera equipment. (Coming soon during Photography Week, August 15-22)
- More features on the future of photography
Improve your photography
Smartphones are the best point-and-shoot cameras of all time. But they're also powerful creative tools, if you're willing to stray from the beaten path of the app and your phone's default camera settings. In this series, we're rounding up professional photographers for their best smartphone photography tips, whether you're shooting portraits or pets. Do you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera? We'll also be publishing separate guides with more advanced tips for improving landscape and portrait shooting.
How to Take Epic Landscape Photos on iPhone or Android (According to the Pros)
(Image credit: Avenir) Landscape photography is all about sturdy tripods, week-long exposures, and confusing phrases like hyperfocal distance, but it doesn't have to be all that intimidating. His smartphone is capable of taking impressive and creative landscapes; For this guide, we asked two professional photographers for their top landscape photography tips for smartphone users.
More photo guides...
Check back this week for more guides on how to improve your capturing skills, including:
- How to take professional portraits with your phone
- How to master the Lightroom app
- How to take pictures of tasty food with your phone
- How to recreate any style of DSLR photography with your phone
- How to take great photos of dogs and pets (according to the professionals)
- 26 essential tips for landscape photography
- Beginner's Guide to Film Photography
- Top 20 Portrait Photography Tips for Beginners
- How to get started with your new DJI drone
- And more
The best photography in the world
The best photos of the year so far and how to take them
(Image credit: Luis Tato) What better way to celebrate World Photography Day on August 19 than with the best photos of the year so far. In this epic photo extravaganza, we'll bring together all the winners of this year's most prestigious photo contests and talk to the photographers about how they shot them.
- More features on the world's best photos (and how they were taken)
Extreme photography
Long Shots: The 12 Weirdest Cameras I Have (As A Camera Collector)
(Image credit: Avenir) The golden age of cinema produced gloriously varied and quirky cameras, and no one has a bigger collection of trinkets than collector Tony Kemplen, who has used a different camera every week for the past decade. In this journey into the far reaches of camera design, Tony Kemplen picks the 12 weirdest cameras from his vast collection, from the sniper rifle-shaped Zenit Fotosniper to the James Bond bino camera from "For Your Eyes Only." He's back this week for more photography features, including:
- From gigapixels to 12-year exposures - these are the world's most extreme photos
- The World's Best Camera Accessories
- What is a liquid lens? Explanation of the technology that could transform phone cameras
- And more
- Looking for a camera recommendation? These are the best cameras you can buy right now