We’re sharing this for our friends over at thinkTankPhoto, makers of some of the industry’s best camera bags.

The 2026 State of the Photography Industry survey is now open.

This annual survey brings together real experiences from photographers working in every corner of the industry. By sharing how you’re finding clients, managing your workflow, and planning for the year ahead, you help create a clearer picture of what’s truly happening in photography today.

When more photographers come together, the insights gained become significantly more impactful and valuable to us all.

Why your perspective matters:

Compare: See where your pricing, bookings, and revenue stand industry-wide.
Spot: Track shifts in client demand and marketing trends.
Plan: Use real data to guide your business decisions.

The survey only takes a short time, and responses are completely confidential. You can also opt in to receive the full report when it’s released in March.

Take the survey here

The post Your voice matters – Help us shape the future of photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Our take on the Godox AD300Pro II Press Release – We hope to get hold of a unit to test and share our results with you, a good entry into OCF but “much more than a standard camera flash”

When you’re shooting on location, lighting gear needs to earn its place in your bag. Power matters, but so does weight, speed, usability, and how quickly you can adapt when conditions change. The new Godox AD300Pro II is designed with exactly those real-world pressures in mind.

Building on the popularity of the original AD300Pro, this updated version refines performance, control, and workflow while keeping things compact and portable. With 300 Ws of power in a 1.2 kg body, it sits neatly in that sweet spot between speedlights and bulkier battery strobes — making it an appealing option for outdoor portrait, editorial, and location-based commercial photography.

Let’s take a closer look at what the AD300Pro II brings to the table and who it’s likely to suit best.

Portable Power Without the Bulk

At just 1.2 kg, the AD300Pro II is clearly designed for photographers who move. It fits easily into a standard camera backpack and is quick to mount on a lightweight stand, making it well suited to:

• Environmental portraits
• Editorial shoots
• Travel photography
• Run-and-gun commercial work

Despite its size, it delivers a full 300 Ws of output, which is more than enough to overpower daylight for portraits or add controlled light in challenging outdoor conditions.

Faster Recycling, Fewer Interruptions

One of the key upgrades comes in performance consistency. The AD300Pro II offers:

• Recycle times from 0.01 to 1.5 seconds at full power
• Around 350 full-power flashes per charge

In practice, that means less waiting between shots and fewer battery changes during longer sessions. For photographers working with people, this matters — momentum stays high, expressions stay natural, and you spend more time shooting instead of watching a ready light.

Visual Group Control for Multi-Light Setups

If you’ve ever fumbled the wrong light in a multi-strobe setup, you’ll appreciate one of the AD300Pro II’s more subtle but clever features: 16 color-coded group indicator lights.

Each group displays a distinct colour, allowing you to identify which flash is which at a glance — even from a distance. When working quickly on location, this visual feedback can significantly speed up adjustments and reduce mistakes.

Refined Controls That Stay Out of the Way

Godox has also focused on improving the shooting experience itself. The AD300Pro II features:

• A bright, easy-to-read colour screen
• A smooth metal control dial
• A simplified button layout

The goal is clear: fewer menu dives and faster adjustments. Whether you’re making quick exposure tweaks or switching modes, the interface is designed to stay intuitive — so your attention stays on composition and timing.

One-Tap Wireless Sync

The built-in Godox 2.4 GHz Wireless X system allows for seamless integration with Godox transmitters. When paired with the X3Pro or X3 trigger, the AD300Pro II supports one-tap sync, eliminating the need to manually set channels or groups.

It’s also compatible with the broader X-series ecosystem, including XPro, X2T, and X1 triggers. For photographers using mixed setups or existing Godox gear, this keeps everything consistent and flexible.

Precision Power Control

The AD300Pro II offers a 10-stop power range from 1/512 to full power, adjustable in 0.1-stop increments.

That level of precision is particularly useful when:

• Balancing multiple lights
• Adding subtle fill in bright daylight
• Fine-tuning exposure for portraits

Small adjustments can make a big difference, and the fine control here helps reduce test shots and speed up setup.

Bi-Color Modeling Light for Better Previews

A 12 W bi-color LED modeling lamp provides adjustable continuous light, allowing you to preview lighting direction, shadow placement, and overall mood before firing a flash.

Being able to dial in both brightness and colour temperature makes it easier to match ambient light, especially during golden hour or mixed-light scenarios.

Pro Features for Demanding Situations

The AD300Pro II includes a full set of advanced modes, including:

• High-Speed Sync (HSS)
• Freeze Mode
• Color-Stable Mode
• Multi flash

These features make it adaptable across fast action, mixed lighting, and creative multi-strobe setups — whether you’re freezing motion or maintaining colour consistency across a shoot.

Access to a Wide Modifier Ecosystem

Out of the box, the AD300Pro II uses the native Godox mount, giving access to a wide range of Godox modifiers. With optional adapters, it can also work with Bowens, Broncolor, Profoto, and Elinchrom accessories, opening the door to a much broader lighting toolkit.

Who Is the AD300Pro II For?

The Godox AD300Pro II is best suited to photographers who need serious lighting capability without hauling heavy gear. If you regularly shoot on location and want a flash that balances power, portability, and usability, it’s a strong contender.

It won’t replace high-powered studio strobes, but that’s not the point. Instead, it delivers a practical, well-rounded lighting solution designed for the realities of modern outdoor photography.

The post Godox AD300Pro II: A Lightweight Outdoor Flash Built for Real-World Shoots appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Welcome back Friends!

The holiday season (AKA Christmas) brings with it a different kind of creative energy — softer light, richer colour, meaningful moments, and plenty of small details that often slip by unnoticed. To keep things flexible (and fun), this week’s photography challenge follows our “Choose Your Own Prompt” format.

Rather than working to a single theme, you can choose one of five holiday-inspired prompts and explore it throughout the week. You might shoot every day or just once when inspiration strikes. Keep it subtle or go all-in festive — there’s no right or wrong approach.

Pick the prompt that resonates with you, spend time observing, and use the week to tell a small visual story. When you’re ready, share your favourite image with the community and let us see how you interpreted the theme.

Not gonna lie, Santa looks beat here…. but it amused me, so I made the photograph!

Your Five Holiday Photography Options

1. Festive Light

Photograph light that feels seasonal: fairy lights, candles, shop windows, sunrise or sunset glow, reflections on glass. Warm, soft, or sparkling — let light set the mood.

2. Traditions (Big or Small)

Capture a holiday ritual: decorating, cooking, wrapping, morning coffee, a family walk, or a quiet solo tradition. It doesn’t need to be loud — intimacy counts.

3. Anticipation

The moments before the moment: wrapped gifts, packed bags, laid tables, waiting hands, half-finished decorations. Tell the story of what’s about to happen.

4. Summer Christmas

Lean into an Aussie festive season. Beaches, backyard barbecues, cricket, bare feet, sunshine, cold drinks. Holiday spirit doesn’t have to wear a jumper.

5. Togetherness

Photograph connection — people, pets, or even shared spaces. Laughter, closeness, chaos, calm. Wide scenes or quiet details both work beautifully.

* So we’re away for a week or two, so we welcome you to try ALL of the topics in this challenge and we’ll see you in 2026. Thanks for sticking with us in the last few months of change we’re going through here at dPS – We’re looking forward to a refreshed 2026. —- Simon

The post Weekly* Photography Challenge: Choose Your Own Holiday Prompt appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

This Week’s “Choose Your Own Prompt” Challenge

This week we’re keeping the creative momentum going with another “Choose Your Own Prompt” format — five fresh ideas for you to explore, shoot, and interpret however you like. Pick the one that sparks something, stick with it for the week, and share your results with the community. No rules, just inspiration.

? Your Five New Options This Week

1. Framing Within the Frame

Find a natural frame in your environment — a doorway, window, tree branches, arches, fences or anything that surrounds your subject. It’s a simple way to add depth and guide the viewer’s eye.

2. The Colour Contrast

Instead of one dominating colour, look for two colours that play off each other. Complementary (blue/orange), bold contrasts (red/green), or subtle pairings (teal/green). Let colour relationships tell the story.

3. Quiet Moments

Capture calm. Early morning stillness, someone reading, soft window light, empty spaces, a pet resting. Focus on mood and subtlety rather than action.

4. Hard vs Soft Light

Photograph the same subject twice — once in harsh, directional light and once in soft, diffused light. Notice how shadows, detail and emotion shift with the change in lighting.

5. Lines That Aren’t Straight

Hunt for curves, spirals, zig-zags or wavy lines. Roads, rivers, staircases, shadows, architecture or everyday objects. Use these shapes to lead the viewer through the frame.

You can share your photograph below (Has to be new, not one from your archives!) or you can join / visit our Facebook group and share it there. (You can find that group here)

The post This Week’s “Choose Your Own Prompt” Challenge appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

TAMRON Firmware Update (Ver. 4)

150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (Model A057)

For those of you that run one of the Tamron 150-500mm A057 lenses (Hey, that’s me!) the team have just released a firmware update that will help you with the following…

Want to know more about this lens? Pop over to the Tamron Australia website for the low down – or leave a question in the comments!

The post Tamron update the 150-500mm Firmware appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Well, we haven’t had the privilege of spending any time with one, but, we know someone who has – Thank you, Jared, for letting us share your video!

Big fan of Jared’s ‘keeping it real’ in his reviews – Grab a cup of tea and enjoy the next twenty seven minutes.

A reminder, FroPack 4 is currently 40% off if you’re up for some new Lr presets! – Have a look –

Meanwhile, I shall keep my a7 III clean and polished and dream of a faster frame-rate….. for now!

— Simon

The post What do we think of the new Sony a7 V? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Welcome back to another Weekly Photo Challenge at Digital Photography School!
This week you get to choose from five creative photography prompts — all designed to help you notice your world a little differently and strengthen your visual storytelling.

Whether you prefer landscapes, street photography, portraits, or still life, each prompt below offers a unique way to push your creativity and explore new techniques.

Your Five Prompts This Week

1. Leading Lines

Lines are everywhere — roads, railings, tree branches, stairways, shadows. Use them to guide the viewer’s eye toward your subject or deeper into the frame.

2. Motion Blur

Instead of freezing action, try showing motion. Slow your shutter and capture the beauty of movement: cyclists, waterfalls, passing cars, or walking crowds. Tripod optional, experimentation encouraged.

3. Negative Space

Minimalism often speaks loudly. Try placing your subject within a large, uncluttered area. It could be sky, wall, floor, ocean, or a blurred field. Let the emptiness elevate your subject.

4. Close-Up Details

The world is full of fascinating textures and details we rarely see. Focus on something small — a droplet, a fabric weave, an insect wing, cracked paint, a watch dial, a flower petal. Get closer than you usually do.

5. Golden Hour Magic (What’s Golden Hour?)

Ah, the warm glow of the sun as it rises or sets. This hour transforms even ordinary scenes into something cinematic. Try silhouettes, portraits, landscapes, street shots, or architecture bathed in soft light.

How to Join the Challenge

• Pick one prompt that sparks your interest.
• Spend the week exploring, experimenting, and shooting.
• Share your final image at the end of the week using #dPSWeeklyChallenge.
• Want to push yourself? Photograph multiple prompts!

These challenges are all about practice, play, and exploring your vision. Can’t wait to see what you create!

The post Weekly Photo Challenge: Pick One of These Five Fresh Prompts! appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Had a great article sent out by the State Library of Victoria today, it was titled “Misinformation through the decades” and explores the use of what we now call Photoshop.. Well worth a read!

A sentence that certainly resonates within me “When we’re bombarded by a stream of images, daily, how can we tell what’s real and what isn’t?” as someone who looks at photography from many sources, daily, I certainly see a LOT of ‘generated’ content these days, and scarily, a lot of people ‘praising the photographer’ – Can you spot a fake? Drop us a comment.

We won’t re-print it here, that’s not cool, but we’ll drop a link to the full article, below!

On 24 July 2025, we hosted a staff forum exploring the complex world of misinformation. From retouched glass plate negatives to AI-generated bird photos, we unpacked how truth is distorted and preserved in digital collections….[read the full article]

The post Misinformation appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Sharing this one for our friends over at Lensbaby!

When Elizabeth Willson first picked up the OMNI Rainbow Pack, she was comfortable adding creative light and bokeh to her photos, but the OMNI films remained a mystery. That changed the moment she began curling them around the edge of her lens to catch the light. Suddenly, her images transformed, bursting with color, depth, and a sense of wonder that made every story feel alive.

Through selective focus, layering, and in-camera double exposures, Elizabeth creates dreamlike photographs that invite you to move through time and space—moments that feel fluid, alive, and full of possibility.

At the Shoot Extraordinary Conference 2025, Elizabeth will teach you how shifting your focus can change the entire tone of your story. You’ll learn to harness OMNI films and crystals to add intrigue through light and color, and explore how layering in your compositions creates a sense of movement and mystery.

If you’ve been struggling to create vivid, story-driven images, or simply want to learn how to amplify your storytelling through light, color, and depth, this session is for you.

JOIN LIVE DECEMBER 6TH. CLICK TO REGISTER FOR FREE.

And while you’re at it…

The post Register for Shoot Extraordinary, Limited spots left. appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

New from Godox, the iFlash camera flash is an interestingly modular on AND off camera flash, building on their iFLash range, this is a good option for those looking to use their flash on and off their cameras.

Why should I use my flash OFF my camera?

iFlash Camera Flash iT32 & X5 C/N/S/F/O – One System, Built for All

Meet the iT32 iFlash Camera Flash & X5 TTL Wireless Flash Trigger — a modular lighting system built for ultimate versatility and efficiency. When paired with different X5 versions, one iT32 flash body seamlessly adapts to Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, and OM System cameras, offering full TTL and HSS support across brands. The X5 functions as both a hotshoe and wireless trigger, enabling instant transitions between on-camera use, off-camera freedom, and complex multi-light setups. Compact yet powerful, the iT32 & X5 combine magnetic modularity, cross-brand compatibility, and Godox 2.4GHz wireless integration—empowering photographers to shape light effortlessly, anytime and anywhere.

One System, Built for All

The iT32 & X5 offer a universal solution for photographers working across different camera systems. Its interchangeable magnetic X5 hotshoe allows instant switching between brands by simply changing the X5 version. This flexible design helps photographers focus more on creativity and less on equipment compatibility.

Dual Identity: Hotshoe & Trigger in One

X5 serves both as a hotshoe mount and a wireless transmitter, enabling smooth transitions between on-camera and off-camera use. When attached to iT32, it functions as the hotshoe for on-camera shooting; once detached, it automatically switches to trigger mode, wirelessly controlling iT32 or other Godox Wireless X System flashes. 

Effortless Multi-Light Sync

Equipped with a built-in 2.4GHz receiver in the iT32 and a 2.4GHz sender in the X5,

the system ensures instant wireless communication without manual pairing. When used together, iT32 and X5 act as a master unit to trigger multiple Godox flashes simultaneously. When separated, the X5 can still control the iT32 and other flashes within the Godox 2.4GHz wireless X system, making multi-light setups simple, fast, and reliable.

Intelligent Recognition and Real-Time Display

The iT32 automatically identifies the attached X5 version, displaying key information such as model type, battery level, and charging status on its screen. This smart detection ensures photographers always stay aware of system status, minimizing errors and keeping shooting sessions smooth and controlled.

Magnetic Mounting, Fast and Secure

The magnetic interface between iT32 and X5 ensures a stable, one-click connection that’s firm yet quick to detach. Compared with traditional locking mechanisms, it greatly speeds up setup while maintaining reliability, allowing photographers to switch modes fluidly and capture every moment with ease.

Refined Design, Built for Practical Use

Intuitive Touchscreen Control

Rotatable Flash Head

Built-in Reflector and Diffuser

USB-C Charging

Professional Performance, Seamless Compatibility

Advanced Flash Functions

Godox 2.4GHz Wireless Ecosystem

Magnetic Accessories for Creative Expansion

LED Modeling Light

Technical Data

The post Introducing Godox iT32 iFlash Camera Flash & X5 TTL Wireless Flash Trigger appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.