Back in the 70’s when I started my photography career as a street photographer/photojournalist we had some pretty hefty equipment. Protecting it from the elements and potential thieves was our main concern. We didn’t have much in the way of small photo bags other than pricey leather ones that protected the gear but screamed: “Take me. I’m expensive!”

It could be said that American photographer Vivian Maier was one of a kind. The embodiment of the new liberated modern women, she was never afraid to speak her mind—often very passionately—and explore the world on her own terms. Born in the Bronx, New York to a French mother and Austrian father, Maier was an intensely private person. Her life remains a mystery of sorts but a new book is certainly effective at pulling back that dark curtain.

Profoto B1 lights are the first studio lights to feature built-in TTL. They also have their own battery and controller so you can go on location and just pop up a light and start shooting. As of this writing they are available only for Canon, but by the time you read this the Nikon version should be available as well. To me, this is tailor-made for location shooting, so that’s where I did my tests.

Forget Photoshop for a few—let’s talk about three physical filters that you’ll fully enjoy while the fall foliage flourishes as well as later when the yearend holiday festivities finally flow in. In fact, you’ll find them fun to use anytime, frankly. 

Swiss photographer Rene Burri died at age 81 on Monday in Zurich after a long illness. Burri was one of the last of the major photographers of the post World War II generation and was best known for his photographs of artist Pablo Picasso and Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara.

Dan Root is a buddy of mine who is always doing something interesting photographically. His most recent project is a mind-bending series of black-and-white photos called Quadratis.

Budding digital filmmakers have a new tool to consider: the Canon EOS C100 Mark II. The C100 Mark II, as its name suggests, is the second generation of Canon’s lower-end, professional Super 35mm 8.3-megapixel cinema cameras.

It is said that everything is big in the great state of Texas and that certainly includes the rugged sense of individualism and the independent spirit of those who live there. Michael O’Brien is well known for being one of America’s top portrait photographers. In his latest book, The Face of Texas, he presents us with a wonderful collection of finely crafted portraits featuring unique Texans (both native and naturalized).

“You can’t go to a place like that and not be aware of the symbolism all around you,” Robert Rathe says of the northern Israeli town of Safed, where he spent a day exploring and looking for photographs.

Created for adventurous types, like those who live to explore the night on a bicycle, skateboard, surfboard (or with SCUBA gear), the Qudos (pronounced kudos) Action light for GoPro cameras helps illuminate the darkness and allows you to capture great videos of your nocturnal adventures. The Qudos Action is a high-powered video light designed specifically for use with Go-Pro 2, Hero3 and Hero3+ cameras, as well as other action cameras that are compatible with GoPro conversion mounts.