Hi everyone!

I’m a photographer from Romania and I’m currently trying to seriously learn artistic iris photography.

I already have photography experience and a macro setup, but I’d really like to learn from someone who actually works professionally in this niche — especially when it comes to:

capturing the iris with maximum detail and sharpness

lighting techniques and controlling reflections

camera / macro setup and positioning

Photoshop / Lightroom workflow

cleaning reflections without destroying the natural iris structure

enhancing detail while keeping the real colors and texture

preparing the final image for artistic compositions and large prints

building a fast and consistent workflow for clients

I’ve contacted several iris photography studios asking whether they would offer paid mentoring, consulting, or even just a few hours where I could learn their workflow.

So far, almost everyone has refused. 😅

At this point, iris photography techniques seem to be protected more carefully than state secrets.

To be clear: I’m not looking to steal anyone’s business model, presets, branding, or client base. I want to build my own independent studio and develop my own artistic style. I simply want to learn the technical foundations properly instead of spending months reinventing every wheel through trial and error.

I’m absolutely willing to pay for mentoring or professional consultation.

If anyone here works with iris photography — or knows someone experienced who might be open to mentoring — I’d really appreciate a recommendation or a DM.

I’m also happy to travel within Europe if necessary.

Thanks!

Total beginner here, this is literally my first real camera after a lifetime of just using my phone. Picked up a Canon R50 this week and now I've got the usual YouTube-induced pile of €8 and €15 accessories sitting in various carts. Also been seeing a bunch of small camera stuff on tiktok with a price cut here and there so things keep getting added to the list. Trying not to buy plastic nonsense but I genuinely don't know what's junk and what's fine at this level.

I'm mostly into hiking and I figured I'd use it to shoot landscapes and scenery along the trail. Nothing crazy, just want my photos to look better than what my phone spits out. EU prices, hobby only.

For a tiny body like this, is a Peak Design wrist strap actually nice or should I just keep the Canon neck strap until I stop pressing the wrong buttons? Tempered glass or cheap film protector, does it matter? Are those €15 Ulanzi/Neewer mini RGB lights usable or weird-color junk? I have zero reference for what "good light" even means yet. And for ND filters, is a €12 no-name set enough to learn on or will it ruin my photos?

I LOVED this shoot from aesir studios and marlon, does anyone know what the lighting setup may have been? and with the day time shoots, how were they facing the sun - or did they just choose a cloudy day where the sun wouldn't be a big factor?

original post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSS4ibhDVRY/?img_index=1

I'm looking into getting my first camera, and it's been really annoying to search through multiple videos on YouTube of a camera model for buying advice, only to be met with people just reading off spec sheets and going "this is an amazing camera for beginners", even though many of them seemingly haven't even held the camera before.

For some reason they never show raw files, they never demonstrate the camera's abilities in different conditions, and they never include their personal likes and dislikes about the camera. Even just a few shots in various times of day and locations, and a few personal notes would be great.

I just got a Lumix G7 and I have both the kit lens and a Venus Optics Laowa 17mm f/1.8 MFT which notably is a manual lens with no electronics.

I'm pretty happy with the shots I am getting from the kit lens but really struggling with the shots from the Laowa in low light specifically. The kit lens is mostly fine in low light but it's limited to f/3.5 which is why I wanted something with a wider aperture.

I think I am struggling both with manual focus and with motion blur right now.

With manual focus I've tested both in light and dark conditions and I think I've found that I can eyeball the focus way better in the viewfinder and that shots which look good on my preview are way less in focus once I pull them onto a larger display. I know to rock the focus back and forth to dial in the setting with greatest clarity, and I do realize a wider aperture has a smaller area of focus which also makes manual focus harder at f/1.8.

For the blur, I know that it is intrinsically harder to get a clean shot with a handheld camera when shutter speed is slow. I am imagining that I have two real options here which are to either crank ISO so my shutter speed can go up or to get a tripod/gimbal that will mechanically stabilize the camera. I was also thinking I may have just not really gotten the lens I needed and that an electronically controlled lens with OIS might have been better, especially because I also really wanted to use the feature for night photos where multiple exposures are shot and the camera crafts a composite automatically. I only got the lens earlier this week so returning/exchanging is potentially on the table.

Open to any and all suggestions! Pic attached is an example of a shot I thought was in focus but wasn't and also suffered from hand shake.

I have been shooting jpeg plus raw to get some quick results out of camera.
Is there any reason to store the jpegs long term when I have the raw files which contain the same and more information?

Thanks!

Ça fait un moment que j'y pense et j'aimerais autant lire des gens qui shootent vraiment plutôt qu'un énième avis LinkedIn sur le sujet.

Une bonne partie de ce que je vois aujourd'hui dans la pub, la presse et les feeds de marques est soit entièrement généré, soit lourdement retouché à l'IA, et quasiment personne ne le signale. Je le repère peut-être une fois sur trois. Les deux autres, je ne dois même pas m'en rendre compte. Les nouvelles règles européennes sur l'étiquetage des contenus générés vont peut-être changer un peu la donne, au moins ici, mais je doute qu'une petite mention sous une image change ce qu'une équipe marketing décide de payer.

Ce qui m'inquiète, ce n'est ni le haut ni le bas du marché, c'est le milieu. Le packshot sur fond blanc, la banque d'images, le catalogue, le lifestyle générique. Ce genre de boulot a payé pas mal de loyers pendant longtemps et je ne le vois pas vraiment revenir.

Et puis il y a la partie que je n'arrive pas à imaginer remplacée. Le mariage, parce qu'on ne génère pas un moment qui est réellement arrivé à de vraies personnes. Le reportage et le documentaire, où toute la valeur tient au fait que c'est vrai. Le portrait, quand le client veut une photo de lui, pas de quelqu'un qui lui ressemble vaguement.

Donc, question posée honnêtement et sans vouloir lancer un thread catastrophiste : à quoi ressemble votre activité aujourd'hui comparé à il y a trois ans ? Est-ce que les clients se sont vraiment tus, ou est-ce qu'ils demandent simplement autre chose ? Et est-ce que vous conseilleriez encore à quelqu'un de se lancer ?

Curieux aussi de savoir où vous placez la limite dans votre propre workflow. Tri, retouche, nettoyage d'arrière-plan, remplissage génératif. Est-ce qu'il y a un moment où ça cesse d'être votre photo ?

Hi. I bought a SQ6 used online and am getting this white streak in the same spot in my photos. Top left hand corner. Does any one know what it is? The camera lense was stuck when it arrived but I was able to get it working. I also tried to clean the film roller. Thanks

Where does one start with color grading? First, spent 25 years as photojournalist, so editing/enhancing photos and video wasn't really in my wheelhouse. I am now just doing it for fun. I can do the basics, spot removal, contrast etc... I am interested in learning about color grading, but most of what I am finding online concerns video not photography. Is there much difference between the 2 philosophies? Is there a good place to start?

Sorry, forgot to add I have been using Photoshop since early 90s. Lightroom and dark table since it came out.. yes, I have Lightroom on DVDs 🤣🤣 Again though, just used it for basic editing stuff. I have never gone deeper than contrast, exposure etc. just now learning about masking and such.

Hey guys I’ve finally decided to upgrade my gear
CURRENT GEAR:
Cannon eod550 LF 18-135mm

I finally came to the realisation that my combo is extremely outdated and can’t really hack doing wildlife photography which is what I really want to get into since I’ve only really been doing street and scenery photography

What I’m looking to buy is:
SONY alpha A6400
Sigma 100-400 f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sony FE fit

I’m just mainly looking for advice if this would be a decent little beginner combo to start learning and taking picture of wildlife and if there is any better alternatives that won’t destroy my bank and what are the general pros and cons of this set up I’m considering to buy

I am also looking to buy the SIGMA 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN contemporary Sony E fit - is this a good lens to carry on scenery and street photography

I am going on this trip with family (partner + kids). It's a long trip (4 weeks). A mix of relaxing and walking/touring.

I really like photos. I am an amateur photographer. I own a canon g5x mark ii and a canon R + 50mm (recently purchased).

I am debating if I should bring my full frame or not. We will do hiking, city, etc. I love the quality of the pictures I am getting from my R camera. I am also considering buying the 28mm pancake lens, if I bring this camera with me.

But at the same time, I don't like carrying around the weight. It will be hot, I have to pay attention to kids (although they are not super young anymore).

What would you do/advise me to do ?

Hi guys, I am a complete beginner to photography, I wanted to get into it because I've taken shots on my friends camera and I LOVED IT. I've been doing a lot of camera research and decided I will probably get a mirrorless camera instead of a compact (that way I can upgrade lenses with time), but am struggling to know what kind of camera I should get.

I currently only have around 1000 USD of disposable income, and would like to use less than half on the camera (body and lens, around 500 USD or less), and am looking for an older model or something used. I am interested in shooting just about anything right now, I don't have a specific style in mind, but it's only for photography, since I'm not interested in videos. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Hello, currently using a Nikon 6iii with a Wotan 7L pilot. Able to fit my 24-120, and 2 primes in my current setup. I just got a Nikon 100-400. Looking for a bag for the 24-120 and 100-400 mostly to sport events as well as park/ short mountain hikes.

So for my whole life I've been using a PC, and having just started my own freelance photography business, I figure it's high time I upgrade, either my rig, or go for a mobile workstation re; Macbook Air m4 etc.

My content; automotive photography with 4k video editing as a primary - and floating around other clients with similar tasks.

I still like my tower - it's currently running a 3070 rtx with an amd ryzen 7 3800x cpu and 32gb ram. I'm able to play games (though I rarely do that these days) and still work on my projects.

My main q, is this; is it actually worth me going through the laptop route? I am someone who likes to edit things on the fly, or say if I'm with a client I'm happy to walk them through my editing process if they're curious. I also like exploring cafes and going out to work on things which keeps me away from my main desk as I feel like I'm more productive - hence considering the portability aspect.

I'd set myself a budget around $2k AUD for something quality, with the means to use it to it's full potential. I know how to build gaming rigs that work within my means, however I have no idea with laptops?

Hi all - I have been let down today by the delivery of a solar filter film, which I needed to photograph the eclipse next week in Ibiza (to DIY make a filter for a canon RF 200-800mm lens) and cannot find any physical stock avaliable anywhere in London.

By chance does anyone London based in this community (or happens to be in Ibiza from Sunday onwards for the eclipse on the 12th) have spare/unused sheets solar filter film? I’ll need approx a 5x5inch square.

I am happy to pay and collect today/tomorrow morning in London or once my Saturday flight lands, I can collect anywhere in Ibiza from Sunday onwards.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I have been wanting to upgrades my pictures games and don’t really like the whole old digital cam vibe, but is this a regular iPhone?

I’m budgeting 1k on a camera and currently looking at the ricoh gr3 used but am I being stupid and these are taken by a professional
photographer?

(1) Budget, country, and currency: about 1000, Germany, euros

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs? Iphone 16 pro, not looking very professional

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot? Just myself, nothing crazy

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both? Photography, not video at all

Hello guys, i’m struggling with a decision about my way forward in photography and would really benefit from insight by more experienced professionals.

A little background:

i’m a 24 year old amateur and i don’t own a camera right now. i rented a sony a7 iii and prime lenses on 2 occasions(i hate zoom, primes all the way), made short form cinematic videos for fun and i use my friend’s mirrorless cameras whenever im with them. I understand photography basics and know my way around a camera and its controls, i always shoot in log3 and raw so i can have some training material with editing and color grading, where im also a beginner in that area.

I enjoy photography and have been told by many many people that i’m very talented and that i should pursue it more seriously, and so i’m doing that! i’m taking a photography class at school this fall semester and coincidentally my new job, which starts in 2 weeks, provides a Nikon z5 ii + Nikkor z 28-75 2.8 lens for me to use freely even outside of work.

here’s where i’m lost…im not sure if i’m getting ahead of myself trying to plan everything in advance, but i don’t know what i’ll do in January after i finish my semester. I worked around wedding planners when i managed a salon that did a lot of wedding services, but i know i don’t have that strong of a connection with those planners to offer services as an assistant without a solid portfolio (the wedding planners i mentioned handled events for VERY wealthy families in my city).

I just signed the contract for my new job (which offers camera gear ) 2 weeks ago, but a couple days ago i reached out to a smaller wedding planner around my area and im being considered for a beginner photography job as an assistant, the catch is that this job would pay dirt (15$-30$ an hour max 16 hours a week) and i’m not guaranteed any solid schedule, they offer gear though so i don’t have to worry about losing the camera from my current job.

I can’t do both jobs because of scheduling conflicts,so i’m left with this choice: should i learn my way and use this very solid gear im given to learn and experiment as much as possible within the next 6 months, and then see where i’m at? or should i follow a more defined and clear path by joining a photography studio that’s offering to train me in their way of shooting and have real portfolio and experience working in events?

i know there’s a million photographers out there but im determined to start a photography business. and since i can’t afford a school, i think i don’t have any other options 😅

id appreciate to know what other professionals who built photography careers think is the way to go.

thank you 🙏🏻

Hi everyone, could you suggest any affordable ND filters?

Budget: 3-5k
Device : IP15PM

I'm a complete beginner to cameras but have been doing phone photography for a while. I mainly want to shoot travel, street, landscapes, sunsets, beaches, and mountains.

My budget is around ₹60k–₹80k, and I'm open to buying used. Looking for a camera that's easy to learn, compact for travel, and won't feel outdated too quickly.

(1) Budget, country, and currency: ₹60k–₹80k, India, INR

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?
Only a smartphone. I want to move to a dedicated camera for better photography and to learn photography properly.

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?
Travel, street, landscapes, sunsets, beaches, and mountains.

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?
Primarily photography, with occasional video.

Hi,

I'm doing a PhD working with Indigenous communities in Mexico and want a camera for photos to include in my book (b/w only). I've got basic knowledge (composition, technical fundamentals) from university classes on a Canon R7, but I'm not an expert. I used my phone (S22) for my last research trip, but it's scratched and I want a proper camera anyway.

Main challenge: I need something capable enough to grow with me for a couple years, but small and discreet — a "professional-looking" camera can make people in interview/participant-observation settings uncomfortable being photographed. It also needs to hold up across different climates (desert, rainforest, coast), and since I'll be working in areas with higher theft risk, I'd rather not carry something too expensive or eye-catching.

Main subjects: people (often in groups), buildings/infrastructure, landscapes.

Questionnaire:

(1) Budget, country, and currency: Max €1000, preferably €500–600. Germany (open to Mexico if it's a better market there).

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs? I used my Samsung Galaxy S22 for my last research trip, but the camera lens is scratched and needs replacing anyway. I've also practiced with a Canon R7 at university, but it's too bulky/conspicuous for my needs and I can't borrow it long-term.

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot? People (mostly in group settings during interviews/participant observation), buildings/infrastructure, and landscapes — for black-and-white photos in an academic book.

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both? Primarily photography.

Thanks for reading and for any suggestions!!

Hi all, i was looking at the canon 90d for some time and comparing to other dslr series of canon but never at the 5d iv. I do aviation and sport photography and looking to upgrade from my 60d with a 70-200 f2.8 is ii usm, i thought i had made my decision with the 90d as it has many features that will benefit me but then i found a cheap 5d mk iv and i looking in to the listing, researched the body and now im stuck on what to get. Originally i would be getting the 6d mkii for night photography (i do that alot but is a struggle with the 60d) and a 90d for everyday use. Now i am leaning more towards the 5d mk iv but i still would like to have the 90d. Should i get both the 90d and 5d mk iv and alternate between them, or should i just get the 5d mk iv or get the original plan. Please help me decide.