What is Low Key Lighting? Last week we talked about high key lighting. Today, let’s talk low key: low key lighting is all about using minimal light to highlight just the parts of your subject that matter, everything else fades into shadow. It creates deep blacks and rich contrast. You’ve probably seen low key lighting in film noir, dramatic portraits, edgy fashion editorials, and even some still life or product shots before. When does it work well? Low key lighting is perfect when you want your photo to feel: Mysterious or intense Elegant and dramatic Serious, moody, or artistic Focused (like all attention is on one thing) It’s especially powerful for portraits, black & white street work, nude or body-form photography, and even concert or performance shots. How to Shoot Low Key Photography (controlled environment) You don’t need fancy equipment, just a light source you can control and a dark background or environment. Here's the general idea: 1. Kill the ambient light The less stray light in your space, the better. Turn off overheads, cover windows, shoot at night → whatever it takes to get a darker environment. 2. Use one main light source One light is often enough. Could be a strobe, a continuous LED, or even a window with the blinds cracked. Keep the light directional (coming from the side, above, or behind) so it carves out shapes and shadows. You don’t want light bouncing everywhere. You want control. 3. Position your subject in the shadows Only light what you want the viewer to see. Everything else? Let it fade into black. That might mean lighting just half the face or letting most of the body fall into shadow. 4. Dark background, dark wardrobe Make sure the background isn’t picking up stray light. A black curtain, dark wall, or even shooting into an unlit space works. And if your subject wears black or deep tones, they’ll blend in nicely, letting the light really pop where you want it. 5. Camera settings Keep your ISO low to avoid noise in those dark areas. Use a fast shutter speed to avoid ambient light creeping in. Aperture depends on the look you want—f/2.8 for shallow depth, f/8 if you want more sharpness. Meter for the highlights, let the shadows go dark. Doing It Outdoors Yes, you can go low key outdoors too. Here’s how: Wait for blue hour or nighttime. Find a single light source, like a streetlamp, a neon sign, or even a car’s headlights. Again: expose for the light, not the shadows. Let everything else drop off into blackness. Shoot in an alleyway or a spot with heavy directional shadows. Creating Low Key in Post If your photo isn’t quite dark or contrasty enough out of camera, editing can help get you there of course. Drop the exposure or black point overall. Increase contrast and deepen shadows. Use brushes or masks to selectively darken parts of the frame. Desaturate or go black & white to add even more mood. Optionally add vignette or burn the edges to guide the viewer’s eye. Final Thoughts Low key lighting is not about taking dark photos, it’s about directing focus . You’re literally sculpting with light, revealing just enough and letting the rest fall away. It takes some experimentation, but once you get the hang of it, it opens up a whole new layer of emotional depth in your photography.

credits: SG-image SG-image just announced a new budget-friendly 25mm f/1.8 autofocus lens for APS-C cameras, coming in Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts for $69. It’s a compact lens with fast autofocus, fast aperture, and a classic 25mm focal length, which translates to roughly 40mm in full-frame terms. That’s a pretty sweet all-around focal length, especially for street photography, casual portraits, and day-to-day shooting. The build is solid too. SG-image has opted for a full metal barrel, and inside you’ll find seven glass elements arranged in five groups. Autofocus is driven by an STM stepping motor, which should offer decent performance for stills and maybe even some light video work, though we’ll have to wait for real-world tests to see just how “fast and accurate” it really is. The lens has a 9-blade diaphragm, which paired with the f/1.8 aperture should help produce smooth, rounded bokeh, assuming the optics hold up. SG-image is also pitching it as a solid choice for close-up shots, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters. Physically, the lens is small and light — just 32mm long and weighing 145 grams — making it a great match for compact mirrorless bodies. It even comes with a square lens hood and a USB-C port for firmware updates, which is a thoughtful touch at this price. Right now the lens is China only, however worldwide shipping should start soon.

credits: Sandmarc Sandmarc has dropped a new Star Filter for iPhones. Designed with mobile photographers in mind, the filter lets you create dramatic multi-point starbursts from direct light sources like streetlights, headlights, or studio bulbs. It’s adjustable too, you can dial in anywhere from four to eight points of light depending on how bold you want the effect to be. The appeal here is that everything happens in-camera, with no post-processing or AI tricks involved. That means instant results you can show off on set or post immediately. The build itself is lightweight at just 35 grams, with a 60mm aluminium frame and a multi-coated 43mm glass element for optical clarity. It clips right onto your iPhone using Sandmarc’s standard mounting system, and it works with their wide, telephoto, and anamorphic lenses too. You can also mount it to Sandmarc’s iPhone cases or use the included clip for standalone attachment, which makes it compatible with older iPhones and most Android phones as well. The Star Filter is available to pre-order for $90 and should start shipping in mid-June. You can see full details on Sandmarc’s website here

credits: Fujifilm The X Summit in Shanghai is coming up and Fujifilm is expected to announce the long-awaited X-E5 on June 12th during the event. The new X-E5 is rumoured to pack Fujifilm’s impressive 40MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, the same one found in the X-T5. That means we’re likely getting a big resolution bump over the previous X-E4, along with better image quality and dynamic range. But unlike the more DSLR-style X-T5, the X-E5 sticks with a slim, minimalist rangefinder design. One of the standout new additions will be in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which wasn’t present in the X-E4. That’s a big deal for a camera this size, especially for handheld shooting and low-light situations. It’s also expected to be bundled with a new 23mm pancake lens, which would give you a lightweight and travel-friendly kit right out of the box. Video-wise, don’t expect the X-E5 to go all-in. To keep the body small and simple, Fujifilm is apparently cutting back on some of the more advanced video features that are found in the X-T5 or X-H2. That’s not too surprising, the X-E line has always been more about stills than cinema. So far, this looks like Fujifilm is bringing a lot of power to its smallest interchangeable lens camera, and with the combination of a 40MP sensor, IBIS, and a rangefinder-inspired body, the X-E5 could become a go-to for photographers who want serious image quality without carrying a bulky kit. We'll find out more officially on June 12.

credits: 7Artisans 7Artisans is gearing up to release a new ultra-wide 10mm f/3.5 manual focus lens designed for APS-C cameras, and it’s coming to just about every mirrorless mount — Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, and Micro Four Thirds. This lens’s ‘‘specialty’’ is going really wide without the usual fisheye warping. Despite the extreme 10mm focal length, the lens promises zero fisheye distortion, which should appeal to anyone who wants a dramatic field of view without the curved edges. Another detail 7Artisans is leaning into is the look of its 10-point sunstars, which can add a lot of character to images shot into strong light sources like the sun or streetlights. It’s a small touch, but it’s often something photographers specifically seek out in wide-angle lenses. As with most of 7Artisans’ lineup, this is a fully manual lens — no autofocus, you’ll be setting aperture and focus by hand. But that’s kind of the appeal here. It’s a niche tool meant for people who enjoy taking their time and composing intentionally. No word yet on pricing or an exact release date, but based on 7Artisans’ usual approach, it’s likely to be affordable.

credits: Mandler A new Leica M-mount lens is on the way: The Chinese-made Mandler 35mm f/2, a modern homage to Dr. Walter Mandler, the legendary Leica designer responsible for over 45 iconic lenses. Optically, the Mandler 35mm f/2 features seven elements in five groups mirroring the optical formula used in the classic 1970s Summicron lens. Earlier Summicron versions used eight elements, but the seven-element design has a cult following for its rendering and character. Interest in faithfully recreated vintage glass is growing, especially with M-mount lenses being so adaptable. While Light Lens Lab already offers a high-quality replica of the earlier eight-element Summicron starting at $1,049, and 7Artisans sells a simpler $298 option, the new Mandler lens aims to hit a sweet spot in price and performance. Rumors suggest it could be priced under $1,000 when it arrives next month. Built from aluminum alloy and weighing 139 grams, the lens is compact and well-suited to street and everyday photography. It has a 10-blade aperture, a 0.7-meter minimum focus distance, and manual focus operation. It will be available in Classic Black or Platinum Silver. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into an existing M-mount kit or adapt easily to modern mirrorless bodies. The company also plans to release three or four new lenses each year, making it one to watch for fans of vintage-inspired glass. You can see more details on Leica-Rumour’s website here

credits: Echolens Echolens is a new digital camera that is all about slowing down and shooting with intention, but without giving up modern convenience. Designed to look and feel like a classic 35mm film camera, it features a manual film winder, a physical flash dial, and zero screens in sight. It's digital, yes—but with a heavy dose of analog nostalgia. Each “roll” holds just 54 shots, capped on purpose to nudge photographers into being more deliberate. There’s a one-click WiFi sync button to transfer your photos to your phone or the cloud, but if you want to go fully offline, you can. The minimalist interface includes only a shot counter and a flash dial, no touchscreen. It charges via USB-C and promises multiple days of use per charge. Under the hood, there’s a low-light-capable CMOS sensor, while the included filter presets mimic classic film stocks like Portra and Ektachrome. Echolens was founded in San Diego by three childhood friends who grew up shooting film and wanted to ‘reimagine the experience for today’s creators’. The Camera is launching mid-June 2025 on Kickstarter for around $150. You can see full details on Echolens’s Website here

credits: B&H Photo Sony has just announced the FX2, a compact full-frame cinema camera designed for hybrid creators and photographers who want to get into filmmaking. It pairs the 33MP sensor from the a7 IV with a video-friendly body that includes a tilting EVF, full-size HDMI, a fan for cooling, and plenty of 1/4-inch mounts. The FX2 offers pro-grade 4:2:2 10-bit recording and supports up to 15 stops of dynamic range using S-Log3. You get Dual Base ISO at 800 and 4000, plus handy photo features like a mechanical shutter and the ability to snap stills while filming. The EVF, which the FX3 lacks, tilts 90 degrees and has a sharp 3.68-million-dot resolution—great for handheld or low-angle shots. There’s also AI-powered autofocus with subject recognition and auto-framing, plus Sony’s new Dynamic Active stabilization for smoother handheld video. 4K60 recording is possible, but it does crop to APS-C; full-sensor readout is limited to 4K30. RAW video can be output over HDMI, though not recorded internally. The FX2 is priced at $2,699.99 body-only or $3,099.99 with the XLR top handle included, and it’s set to launch in August. You can see a full details on Sony’s website here

credits: Viltrox Viltrox has released the AF 28mm f/4.5 “Chip” lens for Nikon Z-mount cameras, and it’s the tiniest full-frame lens they’ve ever made. At just 16.8mm thick and weighing a featherlight 80g, it’s basically a body cap that shoots. It’s designed for those who want a truly pocketable setup without sacrificing full-frame image quality. While the fixed f/4.5 aperture won’t win any low-light battles, it’s perfectly usable for daytime street, travel, and documentary work. Surprisingly, it’s got autofocus. Viltrox says it’s quick and accurate and the internal design features six elements in six groups, including two ED and two aspherical elements to help keep things sharp and controlled. There’s even a built-in sliding cover instead of a lens cap, so you don’t have to fumble with accessories. At 28mm, it hits that sweet spot between wide and natural, so it should be great for shooting everyday scenes without too much distortion. It's also the kind of lens you can leave on your camera all day without even noticing it’s there. The Nikon Z version joins the Sony E-mount version released last year, and just like that one, it’s $99 and already available. You can see full details and sample shots on Viltrox’s website here

credits: Canon Canon is rumoured to be gearing up for a major refresh of its APS-C mirrorless lineup with the anticipated EOS R7 Mark II, and if the leaks are accurate, this could be one of the most significant APS-C releases in recent memory. With a rumoured 40MP sensor, 8K video, and autofocus tech borrowed from Canon’s pro bodies, it’s shaping up to be more than just a minor spec bump. The original EOS R7 already had a solid reputation among wildlife and sports shooters thanks to its fast burst rates and reach-friendly crop sensor. But the Mark II seems poised to push things even further. That resolution boost alone—from 32.5MP to a possible 40MP—could be a game-changer for photographers who rely on cropping in post without compromising detail. Video looks to be a major focus as well. 8K might sound overkill for some, but for professionals and content creators, it opens up a ton of flexibility for cropping, reframing, or stabilizing in post. If Canon can pull this off with decent rolling shutter control and a robust codec, it would instantly make the R7 Mark II one of the most capable hybrid cameras in its class. Autofocus upgrades also seem likely, with hints that Canon may bring over its deep learning AF system from higher-end models like the R3. That could mean better tracking, smarter subject detection, and improved reliability in fast-paced scenarios. The official announcement is expected later this summer.

credits: ON1 ON1 has released Photo RAW 2025.2, a free update for all users and it packs a number of meaningful upgrades for both desktop and mobile. Headlining the release is the new Auto Crop feature, which intelligently crops and levels your image based on your subject and chosen aspect ratio. There’s also Pixel Shift support for ultra-high-resolution images from Sony and Panasonic cameras, allowing users to fully view and edit those multi-shot composites. ON1 has also added full JPG-XL support, embracing the next-gen JPEG format that combines smaller file sizes with 16-bit color, transparency, and even lossless compression. The update also improves DNG compatibility, ensuring smoother performance with the latest compressed formats. As usual, ON1 has expanded its camera and lens database, with dozens of new lens correction profiles from major brands including Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Leica, and more. Mobile users aren’t left out either. The Super Select AI Tool now available in the ON1 Mobile app offers tap-based adjustments without the need for traditional masking. Additional refinements include an updated Curves filter with a larger, photo-overlay interface for easier adjustments, and a collapsible masking toolbar to give more room to preview your image. ON1 continues positioning itself as a serious alternative to Lightroom, especially for those who prefer a one-time purchase or hybrid model. To get the update, just launch ON1 Photo RAW 2025—it’ll check for updates automatically. You can see full details on ON1’s website here