The Photography & Video Show is heading back to London for 2027 – returning to the London ExCel exhibition center for four days from Saturday, March 13 to Tuesday, March 16. The show will be open from 10:00 to 17:00 every day.

The Photography & Video Show is the must-attend UK event for anyone with an interest in photography or filmmaking, from complete beginners to working professionals: the biggest players in the industry show off all their latest kit – often for the very first time; there are inspiring talks from famous content creators; and don't miss the famous show deals where you can pick up the gear you've been lusting after at a knockdown price.

The show launched in 2014 a at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre. The show now alternates between Birmingham and the British capital every other year, with the 2028 event scheduled to be back at the NEC

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Students of photography, film or related subjects (ID required) will get free entry on Monday and Tuesday if they book in advance, and professionals will also be entitled to free entry on any of the days (subject to verification). Sign up to be notified when registration and ticket sales open later in the year.

More than 150 of the biggest brands in the business will be exhibiting at the show, enabling you to chat to industry experts, watch kit demonstrations, and try out the latest gear for yourself. The full line-up of speakers and exhibitors will be revealed as they are confirmed later in the year.

And just as important as all the big names, there will be plenty of smaller exhibitors in attendance, with many new and innovative products waiting to be discovered as you explore the show floor.

The Photography & Video Show 2027: What's on show

If it's related to the world of photography, videography and imaging, expect to see it somewhere on the show floor!

Digital cameras, analog cameras, vintage cameras, lenses, tripods, filters, bags, straps, holsters, clothing, memory cards, microphones, speed lights, studio lights, modifiers, reflectors, printers, printing services, photobooks, magazines, film, film scanners, photoshoot props, editing software, tablets… it's all here.

The Photography & Video Show 2027 will also feature its usual highly anticipated stages and educational program – offering hundreds of free talks from top photographers, and demonstrations on photo technique, video skills, and editing.

The Photography & Video Show 2027: The stages

All Things Analogue
A celebration of the art of traditional film photography and the darkroom, this is the place to learn about a variety of analog techniques and processes, (both stills and cine), with insights into projects about non-digital applications, along with interactive demos.

Photo Live
This live-action, tethered-shooting stage will have practical demos on subjects such as lighting, posing, working with models, and capturing movement.

Editing & Post-Production Suite
This is the place to learn about all aspects of image editing and post-production, with a series of seminars covering workflow tips and techniques for both stills and video, across a variety of software applications.

Behind the Lens Theatre
This stage, sponsored by Hahnemühle Fine Art, offers insight into the techniques and stories behind images and projects, as well as inspirational sessions from world-class imaging educators in a series of talks and interviews.

In Motion Studio
A theatre for all things moving image, this is designed to offer insight into producing engaging content, storytelling, and creating projects using different video and filmmaking techniques, no matter what your level.

Creator Stage
This program is dedicated to online content creation on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and more. Aimed both at existing and budding creators, as well as photo and video pros looking to boost their business via social channels, this stage will have talks on everything from online community building to getting started in vlogging.

Creator Playground
With a series of sets and studios, this is the place to have fun, let your imagination run riot, and create your own content!

How do you get to the show?

Getting to ExCeL couldn’t be easier nowadays, thanks to the Elizabeth Line which runs right across the centre of London from Reading and Heathrow, with stops at Liverpool Street and Paddington stations. Travel to Custom House station which is right at the entrance of the Excel exhibition center – allowing you to be in the show within five minutes of arriving. It is also on the DLR line.

The exhibition centre is also right by City Airport.

Check here for more travel options.

Of course, there is plenty else to see and do in London - and our free guide to London for photographers will give you some ideas that may encourage you to make a weekend visit…

What if I can't make it to the show?

Although there's no substitute for being at the show itself, you can stay up to date with what's going on by following the official Facebook, Instagram and X (or Twitter, as most of us still call it) channels of The Photography & Video Show.

Digital Camera World will also be there live every day to bring you all the photo news, so make sure to keep this page bookmarked, and stay up to date by liking our Facebook page, following us on X (Twitter) and by signing up to our daily newsletter.

The Photography & Video Show is presented by Future Plc, which is also the parent company of Digital Camera World.

Thypoch has teased its first-ever autofocus zoom lens – but I've already shot with the upcoming lens at The Photography & Video Show earlier this month in Birmingham, UK.

The forthcoming lens, officially announced in this Instagram post, is a 24-50mm f/2.8 for Sony E-mount.

In itself, a 24-50mm zoom doesn’t sound that cool; after all, there are more than a few of these on the market, but this marks Thypoch’s first foray into zoom and AF lenses. In fact, it's believed to be the first autofocus zoom lens from a China-based company, marking a significant milestone in the growth of Chinese third-party lenses.

Until now, the Chinese company had made a name for itself as a manufacturer of affordable, retro-style, manual focus-only prime lenses.

The upcoming full-frame 24-50mm AF E-mount features aperture and manual focus rings, which move smoothly with a nice level of resistance, and there’s a handy MF/AF button on the lens barrel too.

Despite the plastic build, the lens felt solid in hand, and Thypoch has gone with a modern, slick aesthetic which looks similar to competitors, notably the Samyang 24-60mm f/2.8.

Using the Thypoch 24-50mm E-mount lens attached to my Sony A7 III, I snapped a few pictures of the also yet-to-be-released Thypoch 35mm ASPH prime lens for Leica M-mount.

The f/2.8 was bright, and the AF locked on in a respectable time, although it didn't seem to like the fluorescent indoor lighting too much.

I tried eliciting more information about the lens' internal build while speaking to the Thypoch representatives at The Photography & Video Show.

But despite what I thought was a slick line of questioning, they “knew nothing” about the lens beyond what was visible, or were at least well-trained actors – I'd say the latter.

Thypoch hasn't announced when the forthcoming FE 24-50mm AF lens will be released and if it'll put out variants for other camera mounts either, but, as a Sony shooter, I'm eagerly awaiting.

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Read our guide to the best Sony lenses, which include top-tier G Masters. Or, for something friendlier on your wallet, see our review of the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN, which the coming Thypoch zoom lens will be competing against.

Ever locked eyes with a wild owlet? Louise Norris did – and fortunately had her Canon camera paired with a 100-500mm telephoto lens ready to capture the encounter.

Her image, A Gazing Owlet, won the Birds category at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition. Shooting with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II – a camera known for its near top-tier specs – and a long telephoto lens – a type of lens generally considered heavy – Norris operated handheld.

What makes the image so compelling is the direct eye contact between the owlet and the lens. The composition uses softly blurred foreground leaves to create a natural frame-within-frame, while the owlet's lighter tones stand out beautifully against the dark, green backdrop.

'A Gazing Owlet'

A Gazing Owlet by Louise Norris
Winner of the Birds category

Tech info
Gear: Canon EOS R6 Mk II + 100-500mm lens
Exposure: 1/50s, f/7.1, ISO 10,000

Norris says, "Looking vertically between the gaps in the leaves, handheld at 1/50s due to the lack of light, waiting for this delightful 4-weekold little owl owlet to look down and make eye contact. Moment made by the rim light catching on the owlet fluff!"

Winner of the Birds category

Norris' A Gazing Owlet won the top prize in the Birds category at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition. At the live ceremony at The Photography & Video Show 2026, it faced strong competition, including Heron in Flight by Michelle Jackson and Company of Gannets by Frank Urban.

Sophia Spurgin's Fish Eyes was awarded the competition's overall winner and earned her the LCE Photographer of the Year title.

To discover more winning images, visit the LCE Photographer of the Year website.

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Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from March to July.

Panoramic cameras are typically used for wide landscapes, but one photographer repurposed a legendary panoramic camera with a moving lens to record a hip disco-rock band on film. At the Photography & Video Show 2026, I met a photographer who used a legendary panoramic film camera to photograph a band at the equally legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, England.

Chris Lombardi, a London-based photographer and self-proclaimed “film nerd”, used the Widelux panoramic swing-lens camera to snap The Great Leslie during a recording session at Abbey Road.

I met Lombardi at the Vintage Camera Hut stand at the show earlier this week, and he gave me the lowdown on how the Widelux works and shared his photos from the band shoot, which I now have the privilege of sharing here.

The Widelux is a swing-lens panoramic film camera that was introduced in the 1950s by Japanese firm Panon Camera Shoko. It became known for its unique design featuring a rotating f/8 lens that achieves a 126-degree field of view for cinematic-style shots

This unconventional camera was initially produced for 120 medium format film, but in 1958 its creators rolled out the Widelux F1 for 35mm. On 35mm film, the Widelux creates a 24x59mm image exposing the film through a slit which enables creatively distorting frames – which Chris took full advantage of at Abbey Road.

As if using this retro panoramic shooter at Abbey Road Studios, of all places, wasn't cool enough, the actor Jeff Bridges is now bringing the camera back decades after it went out of production.

The Wideluxx (Bridges' rebranding), recreated by Bridge’s company SilverBridges, went into production last year and it combines the iconic f/8 rotating lens with modern tech and durability, featuring a full-metal construction.

We don’t know when the Wideluxx will go on sale, but Bridges already has working prototypes, so my hope is that at some point this year we’ll see this panoramic film camera make its legendary comeback.

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Read our expert take on the best film cameras and Music photographer Kevin Nixon’s top 10 tips for concert photography.

The winners of the LCE Photographer of the Year competition were announced live at The Photography & Video Show 2026, and one of the runners-up snapped a real-life scene of Tom and Jerry.

But unlike in the cartoons where clever Jerry always bests cunning Tom, Aaron Whiteaway's photo, which was a runner-up in the After Dark category of the LCE awards, depicts a more ominous scene.

The image, aptly entitled Tom & Jerry, shows a mouse trying to climb a step while in the background, a lurking cat has its gaze fixed on the mouse, ready to pounce.

I love this image, especially the way in which the perfect amount of depth of field has been used to tell the story.

At first glance, it’s not obvious that the out-of-focus object in the background is a lethal cat on the hunt. But a moment later, it becomes clear, as does the peril that the mouse faces, and I’m gripped by angst, knowing this is likely its last moments.

'Tom & Jerry' – Finalist in the After Dark category

Commenting on his image, Whiteaway said: “After a night out testing my latest 300mm lens, as I returned home, I stumbled upon a cat playing with its prey in the street.”

Whiteaway was shooting on a Nikon Z8 with a Nikon VR 300mm f/2.8G telephoto prime lens. He used 1/40sec shutter speed and a wide-open f/2.8 aperture, but still needed ISO 6,400 to ensure sufficient exposure.

“I managed to lay the lens down on the floor with its tripod foot for stability, angled the screen upwards on the camera and shot off a burst of shots,” said Whiteaway.

The other brilliant aspect of this image is that it leaves the ending up to the imagination. Whiteaway said: “I unfortunately never did find out how it all unfolded that night between the cat and mouse, but what a bittersweet moment it was to experience.”

While I’d like to imagine the mouse making a smart escape just like in the cartoons, something tells me the real-life scenario played out in a more deadly way.

The LCE POTY 2026 awards are now in their third year, and this year there was over $13,300 (£10,000 / AU$19,000) in prize money up for grabs. The 2026 overall winner was an amateur photographer whose ‘playful portrait’ beat over 14,500 entries.

See the whole lineup of finalist photos from the LCE POTY 2026 awards

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Sport photography is one of the most demanding genres – and shooting it with a manual-focus camera is nothing short of extraordinary. But photographer Jacek Salaga did it, now recognized with a top photography award.

The image Half a Second Before captures a fleeting instant: a wrestler suspended mid-air. The precision and timing required to capture this fraction of a second highlight Salaga's technical mastery.

Salaga's skills were awarded with the Event category award at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition – but if you've seen the live announcement at The Photography & Video Show, this is no big news.

The no-autofocus gear

To capture the moment, Salaga relied on a Leica M10-R – a stylish rangefinder that does not feature AF (autofocus). He paired it with the Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2, a wide-angle manual-focus lens, and a Godox strobe for lighting – also entirely manual.

Salaga explains, "The 'Half a Second Before' photo was taken during a wrestling event in Denmark. Fast growth of interest in this form of entertainment has turned it from almost unknown to very popular, with major events sold out in the ticket presale."

Award-winning technical skills

Capturing sharp action in milliseconds without AF sounds impossible – but Salaga pulled it off. While some third-party adapters can add AF to certain lenses, this was probably not used here, as it's not evident in the shot details (EXIF Metadata).

Most likely, the photographer relied on zone focusing, a technique widely used in street photography.

By pre-setting the lens to the expected action zone and using an aperture of f/10, Salaga maximised depth of field to keep the scene sharp. The 1/180 sec shutter speed, combined with a strobe flash, helped freeze motion perfectly.

And flash doesn't automatically make an image sharp. While the strobe helped freeze the wrestler mid-air, focus still had to be precise.

With these settings – plus the right experience and anticipation for the sport – he was able to capture fast-moving action using a manual-focus-only setup.

For more insights and to see all winners, visit the LCE Photographer of the Year website.

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I’m feeling smug as I write this because I’m one step ahead of the rumors. Leaked images of the coming Thypoch 35mm f/2 M-mount ASPH lens have surfaced online, but this isn’t news to me because at the Photography& Video Show 2026 I got my hands on this lens and have my own images to share.

The Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 is a manual focus aspherical (ASPH) prime lens coming for full-frame Leica M-mount cameras. It’s the second lens in Thypoch’s Ksana lineup, joining the 21mm f/3.5 released earlier this year.

At the show, the guys manning the Thypoch stand told me that this lens is designated ASPH. I can’t tell you how many ASPH elements it features – nor the release date or price for that matter – as the Thypoch staff “knew nothing”. But, if it features a similar optical design as the 21mm f/3.5, which I assume it will, then it’ll likely have just the one aspherical element.

From my pictures, you’ll see that the coming 35mm f/2 lens has a compact build featuring a focus and aperture ring. While lightweight, this lens is built like a tank and feels very sturdy.

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you exactly how much it weighs, but it feels like a feather, despite being made of metal, which is likely aluminum, just like the 21mm f/3.5. Thypoch’s coming 35mm ASPH lens also boasts that classic look which Leica shooters will love.

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I stumbled across something interesting at The Photography & Video Show 2026 — the kind of find that reminds you why wandering exhibition floors is so much fun. Tucked away on Vintage Camera Hut’s stand was a quirky little gem: the Loreo Stereo Panfocus 28mm, a 3D film camera that mimics how our own eyes and brain work together.

At first glance, it looks like a retro toy camera. But press the shutter, and it does something clever. Instead of taking a single image, it captures two at the exact same moment using twin 28mm lenses — one for the left eye and one for the right.

These images sit side by side on a strip of 35mm film, and when viewed properly, merge into a single 3D scene. It’s essentially recreating stereopsis, the same process your brain uses to perceive depth.

Of course, viewing the results is part of the experience. You can use a dedicated stereoscopic viewer, like Loreo’s Mini or Maxi Viewer, to see the images pop into three dimensions. You can also try the cross-eyed method — but unless you enjoy headaches, the viewer is definitely the way to go.

What makes this camera especially appealing is how simple it is. There’s no fiddling with settings or overthinking exposure. Focus is fixed from about 2.5feet (80cm) to infinity, the shutter sits at 1/60sec, and you get just two aperture choices: f/11 for flash and f/18 for daylight. It’s point-and-shoot in the purest sense.

One particularly interesting aspect is how this camera changes the way you compose images. Because it’s capturing depth, scenes with strong foreground and background separation suddenly become far more engaging. A simple shot of a street or a portrait gains a layered, almost immersive quality — something flat images often struggle to convey.

With contemporary photography dominated by digital perfection, the Loreo Stereo Panfocus is a playful throwback. It’s less about technical precision and more about rediscovering the joy of perspective — quite literally in three dimensions.

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I never thought I’d be saying this, but having spent these past two days at the Photography and Video Show, I may have been converted to Nikon.

You read that right, this Sony shooter is happy to admit that Nikon’s cameras are impressive, and having made the jump from Nikon in 2022, I’m considering switching back.

At the Photography & Video Show , I’ve been handling dozens of cameras from all the major brands, but it’s Nikon’s that’ve stood out to me. From the aesthetics and build quality to how ergonomic they feel, I’d say Nikon cameras lead the way, with Hasselblad a close second.

Nikon rigs look so slick and modern. The higher-end and newer video models in particular, such as the Nikon Z9 and ZR, have an aesthetic appeal that even the latest Sony Alpha and Canon EOS cameras don’t. Of course, choosing a camera isn’t all about how it looks, but first impressions count.

With a Nikon in hand, I can appreciate the solid build quality and ergonomics, too. Not only do they feel sturdier and more rugged than the competition, but they also fit more snugly. One of my biggest criticisms of mirrorless cameras in general is how shallow the grip tends to be, but holding a Nikon is like a throwback to the DSLR days, and I prefer it.

While I’ve been swooned by Nikon here at the show, the love doesn’t run deep just yet. After all, it’s what’s inside a camera that counts, and I’ve been such a Sony fanboy these past few years thanks to its industry-leading autofocus and sensors. In fact, Sony even manufactures the sensor used in Nikon’s flagship Z9 camera.

If I’m going back to the dark side, I’ll first need to get out in the field with a Nikon and put it through its paces. In a bid to convert me, I’m sure my diehard Nikon colleagues will be happy to lend me their cameras. I might even try my luck asking Nikon for a long lease, but something tells me I'll have to swoon them in return.

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In late December we reported that Venus Optics, makers of Laowa lenses, seemed to be working on a new macro lens capable of a whopping 10x magnification. For context, a typical macro lens usually offers a 1:1 reproduction ratio (1x). 1x magnification means the object you're photographing is reproduced at exactly the same size on the image sensor of your camera as it appears in real life.

Well, the rumors from December are true, as the lens is on display now at The Photo and Video Show 2026. Its official name is the Laowa 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO, and we now know some more of the lens's specifications. It's a full-frame lens comprised of 17 elements arranged in 12 groups, it has an 11-blade aperture, and a minimum working distance of 22.48mm. The lens itself measures 70.2 x 156mm and weighs 618g. Expect mount options for Sony E, Nikon Z & F, Canon RF & EF, and L-mount cameras. With so many mounts, focussing is inevitably manual only, but for precise, considered macro shooting, autofocus is much less important than with other forms of photography.

Another stand-out feature of the 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO is its swappable front section. This gives you the option to fit a barrel tip with an opening in its side, through which a light can be shone. This is a very handy feature, as with such a close working distance at 10x magnification, it would otherwise be very difficult to effective illuminate the object being photographed.

Also on display at this year's show is the Laowa FF 45mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro 1-5x APO. This is a slightly more conventional macro lens than the 5-10x optic, featuring 13 elements in 9 groups. But like the 5-10x lens, it gets an 11-blade diaphragm and has full-frame sensor coverage. The advantage of having a lower magnification ratio is you get a slightly more practical 40.35mm working distance, making it easier to light your subject. The 1-5x lens is roughly the same size and weight as its 5-10x sibling, with a 70.2mm diameter, 149.5mm length and 646g weight. It will also be available in the same mount options. As with many other Laowa macro lenses, these new models should keep aberrations to a minimum thanks to their APO (apochromatic) optical construction, which is designed to supress both lateral and longitudinal fringing. This is crucial for high magnification close-ups where even minor fringing could otherwise be very distracting.

We don't yet know when either lens will be available to buy, or for how much, as both are still in the prototype stage and minor tweaks could still be made before they enter production.

Nature's inhabitants are strong – even if they're tiny and almost invisible to the naked eye. Ants, for example, are among the strongest creatures on Earth (measuring strength in relation to size) – and macro photography can give us a glimpse into this hidden world of power...

One photographer who knows this world well is Dikye Ariani. The image, Teamwork, just won the Macro category at the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 – but if you attended the live announcement at The Photography & Video Show, you may have already heard the news.

"This image stood out due to its clarity, color, and narrative," said jury member Jimmy Cheng, an award-winning portrait and travel documentary photographer. It beautifully captures teamwork and determination in such a small world – brilliantly observed and perfectly timed."

Macro category winner

Teamwork by Dikye Ariani

Tech info
Gear: Sony A7 III
Exposure: f/16, 1/60 sec, ISO 125

Ariani explains, "Teamwork Red ants are incredibly strong relative to their size, capable of lifting 5,700 times their body weight. They possess powerful mandibles, painful venomous stings, and can form 'supercolonies' of millions.

"Ants actually have four to five times more odour receptors than most other insects. It's this exceptional sense of smell that helps ants find food. Shot in Indonesia.

The LCE POTY Awards

The LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards, organized by photo retailer London Camera Exchange, celebrate outstanding photography across 14 diverse categories, including landscape, portrait, macro, street, and more.

Open to photographers of all experience levels, the free-to-enter competition features a £10,000 prize fund, a People's Choice Award, and an Emerging Talent Award.

For more information, visit the LCE POTY website.

The Photography & Video Show continues at the NEC, Birmingham, until Tuesday March 17

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Having opened on Saturday, The Photography & Video Show 2026 is rocking and rolling – and on Monday we’ll be treated to a speech by Lara Jackson-Turner, a conservation biologist and wildlife photographer with a knack for snapping incredibly beautiful animal portraits.

While Jackson-Turner is no stranger to capturing a killer moment, what really strikes me is her ability to transform often savage subjects into warm, almost friendly beings.

And if you want people to care about the natural world and the furry foes we share it with, then, arguably, showing animals in their best light is the best way to create an inter-species connection.

However, a conservation biologist at heart, Jackson-Turner’s mission goes way beyond simply snapping an animal’s best angles. She’s a zoologist with ample experience in the field helping to protect wildlife in remote and challenging environments.

Her projects include managing dolphin research in Zanzibar, ten months of conservation work in Kenya, as well as wildlife data collection in South Africa.

Getting back to her photos, Jackson-Turner is a Nikon ambassador and uses the Nikon Z9, the flagship 45MP full-frame professional camera with a stacked CMOS sensor.

Having a Z9 in hand puts Jackson-Turner in a good position to capture great wildlife shots. But, for me, it’s her clear understanding of light and how it affects the colors and mood of a scene that makes her animal portraits so eye-grabbing.

Jackson-Turner enhances this approach in post-production, dodging and burning select portions of her frames to further outline the subject’s expression. I particularly like how, time after time, she seems to capture poignant moments.

If you’re keen to hear Lara Jackson-Turner speaking at The Photography & Video Show, you can catch her at the Motion Studio Stage on Tuesday 16 March from 12:15 for Women in Wildlife – where she'll be joined by wildlife content creator Roxy Hemadani and wildlife cinematographer Sophie Darlington ASC.

I caught up with Lara at The Photography & Video Show 2026

Wildlife photography requires telephoto lenses with fast glass to achieve clean background-subject separation at distances that don't stress out the animal.

We all know this kit comes with scary price tags but, at the Photography & Video Show, Lara's tip was to rent gear if you can't afford to buy.

Many photographers don't know that renting gear is an option and, among others, trusted rental providers include Wex and LensPimp.

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Amateur photographer Sophia Spurgin has just been crowned the overall winner of the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 competition live at The Photography & Video Show – and anyone who was there will certainly have felt the excitement among the participating photographers....

The portrait captures a genuine slice of local life – authentic and unposed – emerging from a photography session that was drawing close. In a spontaneous and playful exchange, retired teacher Spurgin engaged with a fisherman, who responded by lifting two caught fish in front of his face.

Titled Fish Eyes, the image carries a subtle sense of humor. The fisherman holds the fish in perfect alignment with his own eyes, creating a striking, symmetrical focal point that immediately draws the viewer's attention. The title itself is a clever visual wordplay, and the fishermen's playful pose transforms a travel moment into a memorable and now award-winning photograph.

LCE Photographer of the Year – Overall Winner

Fish Eyes by Sophia Spurgin
Category: Travel

Tech info
Gear: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM
Exposure: 1/320 sec; f/5.6; ISO 640

Spurgin explains, "The photo shows a Vietnamese fisherman holding two fish in front of his eyes. There is a fishing net behind him. I took this on a boat in Hoi An, Vietnam.

"I had been taking photos of him fishing, and this was the playful end of the photography session."

She wins a total of £3,000 to spend on photographic gear at LCE - having beaten the other other category winners.

The LCE POTY Awards

The LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards, organized by photo retailer London Camera Exchange, celebrate outstanding photography across 14 diverse categories, including landscape, portrait, macro, street, and more.

Open to photographers of all experience levels, the free-to-enter competition features a £10,000 prize fund, a People's Choice Award, and an Emerging Talent Award.

For more information, visit the LCE POTY website.

The Photography & Video Show continues at the NEC, Birmingham, until Tuesday March 17

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The striking photograph, Solar Eclipse, has been shortlisted for the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards.

Captured by Denis Borovskikh, the image transforms rooftops and viewers into a living geometric composition. While the sun itself is not visible, it's the visual storytelling that makes the image special.

The result is a photograph where the eclipse is felt, now seen – telling a story of culture and human anticipation. Borovskikh created repeating patterns that echo the brutalist lines of the surrounding architecture – an award-worthy study of light, rhythm, form, and human presence.

Finalist in the category: Events

Solar Eclipse by Denis Borovskikh

Tech info
Gear: Canon EOS R + 24-70mm
Exposure: 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400.

Borovskikh explains, "On April 8, 2024, in Mexico, descendants of the Aztecs and Mayans observed a total solar eclipse. People stood on rooftops everywhere, heads tilted upward, calmly observing the rare phenomenon through homemade sunshades.

"Brutalism, geometry, and the sky, all directed through cardboard. It would be interesting to hear that the Sun hasn't been visible in Mexico during its eclipse for the past 500 years. For me, this story is more about a reflection of life than about the power of a natural phenomenon."

Why it could win

1. Geometric rooftops and human slignment
Rooftop and viewer form repeating patterns, creating strong horizontal and vertical rhythms. The visual order transforms the crowd almost into an architectural element of the composition.

2. Cultural storytelling through minimal objects
Even though the eclipse itself is not visible, the image conveys anticipation, observation, and cultural engagement, underlined through homemade cardboard eclipse viewers.

3. Calm yet monumental atmosphere
The imbalance between the urban environment and sky evokes a serene, minimalistic, and urban mood. The scene captures the extraordinary nature of a rare event successfully, only through human behavior.

4. Cultural and historical resonance
The descendants of the Aztecs and Mayans observing the eclipse link modern spectators with centuries of traditions. With the visual decisions, the photograph transforms a fleeting astronomical phenomenon into a timeless photographic document.

Update

Solar Eclipse didn't take the top spot in the Event category at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition.

At the live awards ceremony at The Photography & Video Show 2026, it faced strong competition, including Airshow in the Alps by Mark Lynham and Half a Second Before by Jacek Salaga, with the latter ultimately crowned the category winner.

Sophia Spurgin's Fish Eyes was awarded the competition's overall winner and earned her the LCE Photographer of the Year title.

To discover more winning images, visit the LCE POTY website.

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The Photography & Video Show is in full swing with all the biggest names in the world of photo, video, and content creation showing off their latest gear. Canon has some pretty incredible VR tech, you can try Fujifilm’s GFX Eterna medium format cinema camera, and Loawa has some crazy magnification macro probe lenses – but my highlight is already Samsung’s Creator Playground.

The Creator Playground is always a regular attraction at the show, but this year it’s bigger and better than ever, with an entire globetrotting photo experience, and even a quick trip into outer space – take that Katy Perry.

Starting off in Europe, the trail kicks off in my home city of London, where you can pop into one of the city’s iconic red phone boxes. After that, take a quick bike tour through the orange groves of Spain before heading further through the Mediterranean, and living your own Mamma Mia fantasies on your private Greek island.

Next, it's a quick hop over to the Americas. Wrap up warm for some tobogganing while the snow falls in Canada, throw down some chips in Las Vegas, before finishing in Mexico for some Day of the Dead celebrations.

A quick visit to Asia lets you head through India on a rickshaw before ending up in South Korea for some noodles under fluorescent lights.

Head next to the Middle East and a Moroccan tea house, before heading over to Africa and taking your jeep out on safari, where you can tick off two of the big five. Finish your world tour down under in a tropical paradise before hitting up an Australian BBQ.

Finally, suit up and blast off into outer space!

If you want to go and create some content in the Creator Playground, head along to The Photography & Video Show at the NEC in Birmingham and have a play. For more information and tickets, visit the official website.

It's as rare as the proverbial rocking horse poop, but the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome is on the show floor at The Photography & Video Show – open now until Tuesday March 17 at the NEC in Birmingham, England.

Launched in January, and technically on sale in mid-February, the street-oriented compact camera has been such a hit that some pre-orders won't be delivered until June. But if you make the trip to the NEC, you can try the camera for yourself at the Ricoh Pentax stand (C100).

As a big fan of cameras for black-and-white photography, I've been super excited to get my hands on the GR IV Monochrome – which, in case you missed it, takes the streetwise experience of the standard Ricoh GR IV but replaces the color sensor with a 25.74MP mono sensor.

By omitting the color filter array, and removing the interpolation process used to render a full-color image, the sensor delivers incredible clarity and micro-contrast – and also promises great performance at higher ISO sensitivities.

The compromise is that there is less headroom for exposing highlights, so you'll need to beware clipping if you're not used to shooting with an exclusively black-and-white sensor.

Because the camera I "liberated" from the Ricoh stand was a pre-production model, I can't share the images from my initial test. But I used it for typically GR run-and-gun reportage shots and was impressed with the tones and rendering produced by this camera.

Having spent a lot of time with the far larger and far more expensive Leica Q3 Monochrom, I have to say that I actually prefer the depth of the blacks and the overall punchiness of the Ricoh.

Of course, you can judge for yourself if you try the camera out at The Photography & Video Show – which is open today until Tuesday March 17 at the NEC in Birmingham. For tickets and more information, visit The Photography & Video Show website.

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Take a look at the best cameras for black-and-white photography, along with the best Pentax cameras from Ricoh's sister brand.

I've not always worked at Digital Camera World; before that I published books about photography, and shot video with flying cameras. That means I've never left the photography scene, and I've attended photo trade shows in New York, Germany, and more. But the best moment is always the opening of the show we still affectionately call "TPS."

These days it's "The Photography and Video Show," and, as a journalist, my role is more about meeting people, but way back I was also an exhibitor. When I worked for a well-known print publisher, I brought hundreds of books in boxes from offices in Brighton, and colleagues of mine and I would rush in and out of the hall, putting up display boards we'd just had printed, carefully arranging leaflets detailing our special show offers, and generally.

It's fun to be an exhibitor because it changes the work patterns, and because you get to meet your customers face-to-face. And that makes you a better business person – I honestly think that, as a publisher, I helped produce better books because I met so many photographers in real life. Professional, enthusiast, beginner, and many who only concentrate on social.

There is also one magical moment at the show, given an extra bit of spice this year as the show returns to its "spiritual home" – Hall 5 of the NEC. The countdown.

Those of us lucky enough to be involved in the running of the show, or the running of a stand, are inside the hall as it happens, while the arriving photographers can wait in a lobby.

There is a giant screen above the entrance, offering glimpses to the waiting visitors of the hall they're about to get into, but, unlike a football stadium, they're not stuck in the same place when the whistle goes.

When the timer counts down, the gateway between the industry and the people that give life to that industry is taken away. People flood into the room.

The atmosphere is electric. People are grabbing deals. Chatting. Looking at things they wouldn't usually look at.

As I stood there capturing this video with a 360-degree camera people waved, some remembered me from the past.

It's not too late to be part of The Photography and Video Show 2026 this year, either as the four-day exhibition continues until Tuesday.

The photographer didn't even intend to capture a heron that morning – she was waiting for kingfishers. But instinct, timing, and lightning-fast reflexes turned an unexpected visitor into a contender for the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards.

Michelle Jackson's image Heron in Flight is a stunning black-and-white capture of the bird gliding low over the canal, wings spread with effortless grace. Originally set up to capture fast kingfisher shots, Jackson quickly adjusted her camera to capture the heron in sharp detail against a simplified monochrome background.

Because sometimes, the best photographs come when you least expect them... and when you're ready to react!

Finalist in the category: Birds

Heron in Flight by Michelle Jackson

Tech info
Gear: Canon EOS R6 Mark II + EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM + 1.4x III extender
Exposure: 1/3200 sec, f/4, ISO 1250

Jackson explains, "The heron was captured very early morning flying at low level close to the canal bank. I was on the opposite side waiting for kingfishers when the heron flew into my scene, it was too good an opportunity to miss and capture at a low-level flight.

"I turned it to mono to avoid background distractions and to fully focus on the bird itself. It was taken with Canon equipment R6 Mk2 with the rf 100-500mm set at approx. 300mm and I was using a monopod.

"My settings were set up in manual and set up for a fast shutter speed for the kingfisher. I didn't have time to reduce my shutter speed as I would have missed the shot as I said I didn't want to miss the opportunity of this graceful flight."

Why it could win

1. Low-level perspective
Capturing the heron at low altitude near the canal emphasizes grace and elegance while maintaining a connection to the environment.

2. Minimalist monochrome
The black-and-white tones eliminate distractions, focusing attention solely on the bird's form and wing movement.

3. Exceptional timing and preparedness
The photographer reacted instantly, maintaining manual settings optimized for fast shutter speed, ensuring the fleeting opportunity was captured.

4. Clean composition and motion clarity
The sharp detail of the heron against a simplified background highlights flight geometry and natural poise.

Black-and-white wildlife photography

While many photographers aim to capture wildlife in a true-to-life, realistic way, creating a monochrome image is equally compelling.

In black-and-white, the focus moves to exploring artistic qualities. Light, texture, and form take center stage, emphasizing details such as fur, feathers, skin, or horns. The absence of color draws attention to structure and movement, and adds a timeless quality.

Monochrome images can be dramatic, especially when shot in high-contrast light, making the subject visually pop against its surroundings. But they can also be subtle and almost romantic, like Heron in Flight, making the bird appear balanced and stand out gently against a muted background.

Update

Heron in Flight didn't take the top spot in the Birds category at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition. At the live awards ceremony at The Photography & Video Show 2026, it faced strong competition, including In the Company of Gannets by Frank Urban and A Gazing Owlet by Louise Norris, with the latter ultimately crowned the category winner.

To discover more winning images, visit the LCE POTY website.

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The striking action wildlife photograph, A Surprise Flight, has been shortlisted for the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards.

Amateur photographer Louise Norris captured the dramatic scene with a Canon mirrorless camera that excels in frames-per-second rates and a premium telephoto lens to get as close to the action as possible.

What makes this shot especially remarkable is that Norris achieved it at an ISO of 20,000 (!) – an exceptionally high setting that most photographers probably would consider extremely challenging to expose with.

Yet she managed to balance the limited early-morning light with a shutter speed of 1/800, keeping the osprey's head razor sharp while allowing just a hint of motion blur in the wings to the action.

But can the image titled A Surprise Flight take the win?

Finalist in the category: Action

A Surprise Flight by Louise Norris

Tech details
Gear: Canon EOS R6 Mark II + RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Exposure: 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 20000

Norris says, "When osprey chicks are still young, and whilst the female remains on the nest, the male must work tirelessly to provide food for their family, often fishing before dawn in attempts to beat competing males to the catch.

"This image was taken at 4.30am using an ISO of 20,000 carefully balancing the shutter speed with the limited available light and at the same time the need to keep the image sharp.

"I was fortunate to be directly in front of this osprey as he dramatically emerged from the water towards me with his prey, who appeared particularly shocked to be on an unexpected early morning flight.

"The image aims to highlight the intensity of the bird's stare with the surrounding splash adding to the action and energy of the scene all whilst conveying the story of the hunt.

"The shutter speed of 1/800 second retains detail in the head whilst allowing slight blur in the wing tips showing the movement and effort of the weighted take-off."

Why it could win

1. Intense action frozen with controlled motion
The osprey emerges from water mid-flight, its head perfectly sharp while the slightly blurred wing tips convey dynamic energy.

2. Masterfully ISO and shutter speed handling
ISO 20,000 is carefully balanced with a fast shutter speed, capturing the early-morning drama without losing detail or introducing noise that would distract from the subject.

3. Narrative storytelling & timing
The bird's startled prey and focused gaze highlight the intensity of the hunt, creating a visual story of survival, capturing the raw energy of nature and the decisive moment of predation.

4. Dramatic composition
The central framing and splash around the subject amplify the sense of sudden, powerful motion perfectly.

Update

A Surprise Flight didn't take the top spot in the Action category at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition.

At the live awards ceremony at The Photography & Video Show 2026, it faced strong competition, including The Mighty Wave by Sophia Spurgin and Saving Lives at Sea by David Lyon, with the latter ultimately crowned the category winner.

Sophia Spurgin's Fish Eyes was awarded the competition's overall winner and earned her the LCE Photographer of the Year title.

To discover more winning images, visit the LCE POTY website.

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This aerial shot is unforgettable – offering everything from technical precision and perfect timing to a depth of cultural storytelling rarely seen in drone photography.

The image, titled Containment, capturing a container ship passing through Hong Kong residential building's famous "dragon gate," has now been shortlisted for the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards – and there's no question why.

Captured by self-taught, award-winning British photographer, videographer, and visual artist Derry Ainsworth, the shot reflects his ongoing commitment to present Hong Kong through his unique perspective.

Finalist in the category: Travel

Containment by Derry Ainsworth

Tech info
Gear: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (Hasselblad L1D-20c + 28mm f/2.8)
Exposure: 1/320 sec, f/5.0, ISO 400

Ainsworth says about the image, "A lone container ship passes by the front of a residential building in Hong Kong. The ship can be seen through the building's 'dragon gate'-a feng shui design feature said to allow dragons to pass through from the mountains to the sea.

"Taken with a drone after patiently waiting for a container ship to pass by through the view of the gate."

Why it could win

1. Masterful geometric composition
The residential tower features a strong vertical pattern, while the "dragon gate" frames the container ship like a natural portal. This deliberate alignment showcases the architectural rhythm and the fleeting element within it.

2. Patient orchestration of timing
Capturing the container ship precisely at the gate demonstrates extraordinary patience and foresight. The single moment unites structure and motion, turning the scene into a visual narrative of chance and control.

3. Dialogue between human culture and industry
The "dragon gate," a feng shui feature, contrasts with the utilitarian container ship passing through. This juxtaposition explores Hong Kong's layered identity – tradition alongside global commerce.

4. Drone perspective for visual impact
Using a DJI Maic 2 Pro enables an elevated viewpoint that emphasizes scale and symmetry. The resulting image transforms a mundane urban scene into a striking, almost abstract composition.

Update

Containment didn't take the top spot in the Travel category at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition.

At the live awards ceremony at The Photography & Video Show 2026, it faced strong competition, including The Crossings by Uku Sööt and Fish Eyes by Sophia Spurgin.

The category win went to Sophia Spurgin's Fish Eyes, and this image also earned her the LCE Photographer of the Year title.

To discover more winning images, visit the LCE POTY website.

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You’ve unsubscribed from our YouTube channel, you’ve unfollowed us on Instagram, and you’ve cancelled your Spotify subscription – but you’re not getting away from the Bokeh Face boys that easily! That’s because we’re bringing you Bokeh Face: The Digital Camera World podcast LIVE at The Photography & Video Show on Saturday 14, Sunday 15, and Monday 16 on the Photo Live Stage.

That’s right, Bokeh Face will be delivered to a live audience, with no sneaky cuts or last-minute edits, pure unfiltered photography discussion. We’ll be bringing a Photography & Video Show spin to the familiar Bokeh Face formula, so expect us to chat and argue about the most exciting things we’ve seen at the show.

And as always, we’ll be debating industry hot topics, regaling you with photography anecdotes, and helping you solve any camera problems you might have.

Bokeh Face times (Photo Live Stage)

• Saturday March 14 – 16:00-16:30
• Sunday March 15 – 10:30-11:00
• Monday March 16 – 11:45-12:15

Bokeh Face is hosted by Digital Camera World’s very own editor in chief, James Artaius, who will be joined by podcast regulars, Chris George , and Mike Harris. But rather than our traditional two-person discussions, all three will take to the stage, so expect even less direction and even more chaos than usual!

Why listen to the Bokeh Face team? Well, experienced journalist and photographer James has stood at the Digital Camera World helm for over seven years, but started working in the photography industry back in 2014, where he shot ad campaigns for Olympus and a huge range of global clients.

Chris has been an enduring presence on the website ever since its launch in 2017, and has been writing about photography for over 30 years, having edited a huge range of photography publications, including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Professional Photography, What Camera, and Digital Camera Magazine. He’s even authored books on photography.

And as for Mike, he studied photography at college before breaking into the industry as part of Wex Photo Video’s award-winning content-marketing team. From there, he spent years at N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, rising to deputy editor, before making the transition to this website in 2024.

Together, the trio’s knowledge spans the width and breadth of the photography industry, from portraits to wildlife, landscapes to sports, film to mirrorless, and photo to video, accumulated through hundreds of real-world shoots and gear reviews. If you’re a photography nerd, a working professional, or just getting started, you’ve come to the right place.

Can't make The Photography & Video Show? You can listen to Bokeh Face: The Digital Camera World Podcast on all major podcast platforms.

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If you can't make The Photography & Video Show, don't worry, Digital Camera World will still be bringing you the latest camera news. And if you're here for our gear recommendations, take a look at the best cameras for beginners and the best mirrorless cameras.

The photograph captures a tense wildlife interaction between a griffon vulture and a golden jackal in the mountains of Bulgaria, has been shortlisted for the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards – and it could be one of the competition's standout winners.

Photographer Tim Munsey froze a dramatic, split-second moment as the vulture asserted dominance over the jackal.

The scale and power of the vulture, contrasted with the jackal's numble reaction, make this image a striking example of wildlife photography at its finest.

Finalist in the category: Wildlife

Naughty Jackal by Tim Munsey

Tech info
Gear: Sony A9 III + FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
Exposure: 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 5000

Munsey gives shooting insights: "A griffonvulture scolds a golden jackal high in the mountains of Bulgaria. Taken at the break of dawn with a Sony A9M3 and 600mm f/4, low light, low shutter speed (1/500th), enough speed to capture detail but blur the strike motion.

"The area is being used as part of a conservation project to reintroduce black vultures. The food given out attracts other species, hence this meeting of species. The jackal leaves unharmed. I like the way the image shows the impressive size of the vulture."

Why it could win

1. Extraordinary behavioral moment
The photo freezes a dramatic confrontation between a griffon vulture and a golden jackal competing for food. Capturing such a rare interspecies interaction requires both patience and perfect timing.

2. Powerful visual drama and tension
The vulture's wings are fully spread as it strikes downward, creating a sense of dominance and imminent impact. The jackal's defensive posture intensifies the narrative, turning the image into a moment of raw wildlife tension.

3. Strong composition and sense of scale
The framing highlights the enormous wingspan and presence of the culture compared with the jackal. This visual contrast immediately communicates the power imbalance between the two animals.

4. Conservation and ecological storytelling
Taking at a feeding site connected to culture conservation efforts, the image reveals how restoration projects influence wildlife behavior. It goes beyond aesthetics by documenting real ecological interactions with a recovering ecosystem.

Update

Naughty Jackal didn't take the top spot in the Wildlife category at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition.

At the live awards ceremony at The Photography & Video Show 2026, it faced strong competition, including Munch by Karen Blow and Fighting Foxes in the Rain by Sophia Spurgin.

The category win went to Sophia Spurgin. She was also awarded the LCE Photographer of the Year title with her image Fish eyes.

To discover more winning images, visit the LCE POTY website.

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The Finalists for the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards have been announced – and the winners will be revealed live at The Photography & Video Show 2026 in Birmingham.

If you're visiting the show before the big reveal, you'll also get a chance to see the shortlisted images in a dedicated exhibition on the show floor. The display offers a sneak preview of the photographs competing for the top prize – before the category winners and overall Photographer of the Year are announced on stage.

The real moment – and one of the highlights of the show – comes with the live announcement, when the judging panel unveils which images take the titles and the £10,000 prize fund.

Now, let's take a look at some of the shortlisted images digitally – and see if your pick matches the judges' choice... Discover the full list of Finalists on the LCE POTY website.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!
• Download your FREE Photography & Video Show guide and get prepared…

Shortlisted images

Category: After Dark
Interstellar Radiant by Joao Serralheiro

Tech info
Gear: Sony A7 III + FE 20mm f/1.8 G
Exposure: 30 sec, f/1.8, ISO 640.

"This star trails image is the result of two hours of long exposures under the steerable 60-foot diameter dish antenna of the One-Mile Telescope at the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge UK.

"The result reflects planet Earth's rotation on its axis. The One-Mile Radio Telescope was the first to use Earth-rotation aperture synthesis to explore and create high resolution radio maps of the universe."

Category: Portrait
Brothers by Paul Anthony Wilson

Tech info
Gear: Nikon D3x + 70-200mm f/2.8
Exposure: 1/125 sec, f/4.0, ISO 200

"Two lads watching me shoot the 'Reading of the Charter' at Seamer Horse Fair, were consistently begging for a photo. I was too close to focus, so backed up a little, spun around and snapped. The older boy lifted the younger’s head – his gap-toothed smile made the shot."

Category: Street
The Euros by Ethan Parker

Tech info
Gear: Sony A7C II + FE 28mm f/2
Exposure: 1/160 sec, f/13, ISO 50

"During the build up to the 2024 Euros final, cheers, chants and chaos filled the air. This shot captured the juxtaposition of all the chaos and cheers with the subject in the bottom corner of the frame who had likely had enough of all the noise that day."

Category: Travel
The Crossing by Uku Sööt

Tech info
Gear: Canon EOS 6D + EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Exposure: 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800

"I photographed this moment from a small boat on Taung Tha Man Lake (Myanmar), gently drifting while waiting for the scene to align. As the sun dropped behind U Bein Bridge, I watched the silhouettes move across the weathered teak, waiting for the brief instant when the spacing, gestures and rhythm of the people made sense as a single story.

"Some walked in pairs, others alone, one paused mid-step. From a distance, they became shapes rather than identities."

Category: Macro
Milking Bonnets by Tony North

Tech info
Gear: Nikon D500 + 105mm f/2.8
Exposure: 1/160 sec, f/8, ISO 1000.

"I shot these Milking Bonnets at Marbury Country Park in Cheshire. I lit them from behind with an LED panel and sprayed water to create the rain effect. Mushrooms can only grow after rain as the fungus needs the water. The mushrooms were focus stacked."

Category: Landscape
Into the Cave by Filip Hrebenda

Tech info
Gear: Sony A7R V + FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM
Exposure: 1/30 sec, f/8, ISO 100

"Photo from an expedition to a remote desert in Saudi Arabia. Upon arriving in this area, I was surprised by how sharp and dominant the mountains rise from the endless sandy wasteland. The photo was taken on the first day of the trip during a windy sunset.

"There were no clouds in the sky, so I decided to climb to the middle of the opposite hill and find a small cave to make the scene more interesting. After a bit of searching, I managed to find one. Additionally, during sunset, the wind beautifully lifted the sand from the dunes beneath the peaks, adding a unique atmosphere to the photo."

The LCE POTY Awards

The LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards, organized by photo retailer London Camera Exchange, celebrate outstanding photography across 14 diverse categories, including landscape, portrait, macro, street, and more.

Open to photographers of all experience levels, the free-to-enter competition features a £10,000 prize fund, a People's Choice Award, and an Emerging Talent Award.

For more information, visit the LCE POTY website.

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The Photography & Video Show 2026, the mega UK imaging mega-event, opens this weekend – taking place in Birmingham, England, from March 14-17 at the NEC.

You are not too late to get 20% discount on tickets, using our exclusive code! But you need to act fast, as you'll end up paying full price if you don't book before midnight today (Thursday March 12). You can find the booking form here, where you should use the code DCW26 to get this saving.

Note that after 11:59pm on Thursday, you will have to pay the on-the-door price for entry of £24 (£21 for concessions).

You can find everything you need to know about The Photography & Video Show over on the official website, but you can expect over 250 of the top brands in photography, videography and post-production. Included in the price of the ticket are literally over 500 free talks and demonstrations at the huge stages around each side of the Hall.

The likes of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, OM System, Pentax, Ricoh and Insta360 will show off their newest cameras, while Sigma, Tamron and Laowa will bring their latest lenses. Rotolight, Profoto, Amaran, Godox and co will literally shed a light on their cutting-edge lighting products, and analog photography will be represented by companies like Ilford, Paterson, Alfie Cameras, and Analogue Wonderland! Here's the full list of exhibitors.

Entry prices

Standard – £18.95 for any single day if you book in advance (save 20% using code DCW26 before 11:59pm March 12). On the door price is £24.

Concessions – £15.95 for any single day (save 20% using code DCW26, if you book in advance). Aged 60+ and disabled visitors. Also students aged 18+ on Saturday and Sunday. On the door price is £21.

Children – children under 18s go FREE, but a ticket is required for those aged 5-17

Multiple-day discount – Multiple days are charged at 50% discount for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th day visit.

Professional / Trade entry – Professional photographers, filmmakers, content creators, and image-making industry representatives can apply for FREE entry to the show, if completed before before 11:59pm March 12. All applications are verified, as it is essential for us to understand our visiting audience and tailor the show content appropriately. Find out more here

Students – Students can attend FREE on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17. Find out more here. Entry for students on Saturday and Sunday is charged at the Concessions rate of £15.95 for any single day (save 20% using code DCW26 if booked before 11:59pm March 12)

A booking fee of £1.50 per transaction will apply.

In addition to all the latest kit, you'll be able to make big savings thanks to exclusive show-only price-busting deals from retailers London Camera Exchange and Wex Photo Video.

Not to mention my personal favorite part of the show: the incredible Aladdin's cave of used camera kit run by the Disabled Photographers' Society, an amazing place to donate old kit and pick up some classic cameras and hidden treasures!

And you'll also have the chance to listen to some of the biggest and best names in photography, from top professionals to leading video experts, celebrity photographers to successful YouTubers, and brand ambassadors, world-class trainers, and educators. Check out the current speaker lineup here.

To save 20% on your tickets, visit the link below and use the code DCW26 before 11:59pm March 12.

Viltrox has alluded to two new lenses with apochromatic (APO) technology coming to The Photography & Video Show (TPS), which begins this weekend in Birmingham, UK.

In a recent Instagram post, the third-party lens manufacturer showed off two silhouetted compact builds that look to be smaller prime lenses.

While the post as a whole reveals little information, the image does as the lenses depicted look a lot like the coming 35mm and 50mm f/1.8 APO primes lenses for the new EVO series which Viltrox revealed at this year’s CP+ show in Japan.

Viltrox’s EVO lenses sit between its super-budget-friendly Air series and higher-end PRO series lenses. EVO lenses balance premium features such as a lightweight, metal build, USB-C connectivity and clickable aperture rings with a still low-end price point. The series was launched late last year with the release of the AF 85mm f/2 EVO for Nikon Z-mount and Sony E-mount cameras.

Viltrox has made a name for itself as a manufacturer of cheap but high-performing prime lenses, and a premium feature it’s really pushing at the moment is APO technology.

APO optics correct chromatic and spherical aberrations using specialized, low-dispersion glass elements. This technology ensures that red, green, and blue light waves converge on the same focal plane, resulting in sharper images with minimal color fringing.

According to a recent report from Photo Rumors, at CP+ 2026 Viltrox engineers referred to the company’s APO technology as ‘hyper APO’, saying that ‘APO’ has become a buzzword among lens manufacturers, often used for technology that doesn’t truly meet the standard.

This is fighting talk from Viltrox and, if the coming lenses are the expected 35mm and 50mm EVO f/1.8 primes, then my expectations of their APO performance are high to say the least.

More will be revealed on these new Viltrox lenses at TPS 2026, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, and kicks off this Saturday 14 March. Viltrox will be at stand F72.

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Viltrox Air prime lenses offer solid specs for tight budgets. Check out our reviews of the AF 9mm f/2.8 Air, AF 15mm f/1.7 Air and AF 25mm f/1.7 Air.

In the fall of 2025, we brought you a full review of the Manfrotto One Hybrid tripod, a brand new offering from the legendary tripod manufacturer, aiming to give solid, stable but versatile support to hybrid creators swapping back and forth between stills and video capture. Various kits were launched, featuring either aluminum or carbon fiber legs and a choice of heads (or no head at all if you’d rather use your own).

Following up on the ‘Hybrid’ kits, Manfrotto is now launching a more stills-centric, aluminum ONE Photo tripod range at this year's The Photography & Video Show in the UK. Design highlights inherited from the original Hybrid sticks include Manfrotto’s XCHANGE quick-release system for quickly and easily swapping between heads on a single set of legs.

Hybrid shooters would generally use this for alternating between photo and video heads but, in the context of stills photography, you might well want to swap between, say, one of the best ball heads, 3-way heads, geared heads and gimbal heads.

Another inherited feature is the Q90 mechanism, which enables similarly quick and easy pivoting of the center column, so you can use it as a horizontal boom that’s more ideal for ultra-low-level shooting and macro photography. Next up, there’s the same XTEND Leg System, which allows you to alter the working length of multiple leg sections with a single lock/release clamp. The idea here is that it can be a whole lot faster to set the height of your tripod and level it off, compared with using a whole bunch of conventional, individual twist-locks or flip-locks.

Again, a core strength (so to speak) of the Manfrotto One Photo range is that the tripod legs have an oval profile to enhance rigidity and stability. An integral bubble level assists with setup, and modular rubber pads and spiked feet give you a firm footing on different types of terrain.

With so many similarities, you might be wondering what the differences are between the ONE Hybrid and ONE Photo designs. The main change is that the ONE Photo does away with the modular center column and leveling components, both of which are of more use in videography than for shooting stills. The net results are that the ONE Photo is simpler to use and less expensive to buy.

Speaking of which, whereas the aluminum edition of the ONE Hybrid Aluminum Tripod legs costs $499 / £375, the ONE Photo Aluminum Tripod legs represent a significant cost saving at $329 / £269, and it’s $515 / £399 for a complete ONE Photo kit that includes either a Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way Head or a Manfrotto XPRO Ball Head, as shown in the two images in the gallery above. All in all, they promise to be high-quality tripod kits at keen prices.

The Disabled Photographers' Society has a packed stand at this year's Photography & Video Show full of brilliant secondhand bargains. The charity has been building up donations of unwanted photographic kit for over a year, ready for this giant photographic jumble sale

Offers we saw in previous shows included offers on memory cards, forests of old tripods, stacks of darkroom processing trays, and masses of great camera memorabilia from both the film and digital eras alike.

I have found some great treasures on this stand in the last decade since the Show began. A giant professional Poloroid camera once designed for taking passport photos sits on my shelf at home – and my £300 Sony A6000 with zoom, is often in my backpack as my affordable alternative to the trendy Fujifilm X100VI.

But it is not just about buying - the stand is also about giving. Every year I take carrier bag or two of books, accessories and other photographic bits and bobs I no longer need for the charity to sell at the Show.

Why not do your bit for this great charity by bringing your own donations to the show? Simply look out any bits of unwanted photo gear you have around the house and bring it with you. You can then drop it off at the Disabled Photographers' Society's stand when you arrive at the NEC.

They will willingly take any old camera or lens that you have lying around, or tucked at the back of the cupboard, as long as it is still in working order. But they will also be just as grateful for old cables, filters, darkroom gear, bags and other photo paraphernalia. The DPS are also interested in taking your unwanted photographic books too! The stand is one of the must-visit features of the show... a fantastic photo bric-a-brac stall that you will love to rummage through to find something interesting to buy!

The stand number is A21 – so bring your bags full of donations when you get to the show.

The Disabled Photographers' Society has been running for over 50 years. The charity has developed a broad knowledge of various ways to make photography accessible to people with a wide variety of disabilities. Often with a few simple modifications, the experts at the DPS can open up a whole new world of possibilities to those who would otherwise struggle to operate a camera. The Society is run by a team of dedicated volunteers, most of whom are disabled photographers themselves. 

The Photography Show runs across four days from Saturday to Tuesday March 14-17 at the NEC in Birmingham. For full details and schedules of talks, see the The Photography & Video Show website.

Canon Ambassador Helen Bartlett will be one of the speakers on the Canon Spotlight Stage, which will host a compelling line-up of speakers over the four days of the show.

There really will be something for everyone, whether you're a beginner or a pro or whether you like to shoot weddings, wildlife… or families.

Helen Bartlett is one of the UK’s leading family photographers, and is the only family photographer to be on Canon's ambassador programme, so if you want to discover more about this genre of photography, you couldn't wish for a better speaker.

Having taken up photography at the age of eight, Helen started earning an income from photography when she was a teenager.

Her mother ran a nursery school in the basement of the family home and, as a summer job, Helen would take photos of the children.

Selling their parents' handmade black-and-white prints gave her an early taste of creating and selling photographs, so after studying history at university, she decided to make photography her career.

Since then, Helen has gone on to become a leading family photographer. Shooting exclusively in black and white, she specialises in documenting the essence of childhood, capturing tender scenes created to resonate with her clients.

Ahead of her 'Seeing the Story: A Creative Approach to Family Photography' talk at The Photography & Video Show 2026, we asked her about her practice, and her long-term commitment to black and white…

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

See Helen Bartlett at The Photography & Video Show 2026

Seeing the Story: A Creative Approach to Family Photography, with Canon Ambassador Helen Bartlett – Saturday March 14, 14:00-14:45

Seeing the Story: A Creative Approach to Family Photography, with Canon Ambassador Helen Bartlett – Tuesday March 17, 14:00-14:45

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

We're just days away from The Photography & Video Show, which kicks off this weekend and runs from Saturday March 14 to Tuesday March 17 at the NEC in Birmingham, England.

With over 200 brands at the event – including Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, OM System, Sigma, Tamron, Adobe, Epson, Eizo, Godox, Ilford, Insta360, Laowa, Lowepro, Peak Design, Rotolight and more – it can be hard to know who to see and where to see them.

In addition, there are hundreds of free talks, demonstrations, workshops and presentations from some of the industry's biggest and most expert names – not to mention book signings, retailers offering exclusive show-only deals, and the vintage camera goldmine that is the Disabled Photographers' Society's bring and buy stall!

The four-day show is so big, with so much going on, that you're going to need a hand finding your way around – which is where the free downloadable show guide comes into play.

Whether this is your first time visiting the show or you've been to every one over its 12-year history (like me!), the guide is a handy PDF that's great to download to your phone so you can swipe through and see at a glance what is on, where, and when.

Click the link below to download the show guide, and I look forward to seeing you at the NEC from this weekend (I'll be there all four days)!

Click here to download your free show guide

Alternatively, you can access the show guide via the Show website.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

Being a professional photographer involves far more than delivering client work. Staying up to date with the latest gear, understanding industry trends and building strong professional relationships are all essential to keeping your business competitive.

But balancing all that alongside a busy shooting schedule can be difficult. That's where The Photography & Video Show 2026 comes in. The event brings the entire imaging industry together in one place – and professional photographers, filmmakers and content creators can even attend for free.

From testing the latest cameras to connecting with industry leaders and finding exclusive gear deals, here are the key reasons why you won't want to miss this year's show.

Get a free ticket

Professional photographers, filmmakers, content creators and industry representatives can apply for free trade entry to the show. Applications are verified to ensure that the event can tailor its content to a professional audience.

Deadline: Free pass applications close at 23:59 on March 12 2026. After that, standard ticket prices apply. For more information and to apply, click here.

What's in it for pros?

250 of the best brands and exclusive show deals

The show floor brings together more than 250 photography and video brands – including industry leaders like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm and Adobe.

You can try the latest cameras and lenses, get hands-on advice from experts and take advantage of exclusive show discounts offered by major retailers. Some exhibitors also accept gear trade-ins, making it a great opportunity to upgrade your pro kit.

Top speaker lineup and pro advice

The 2026 speaker lineup features leading photographers, filmmakers and content creators sharing insights across multiple genres – from lighting techniques and creative workflows to building a sustainable photography business.

Professionals can also attend the Pro Forum, which offers focused sessions on business strategy, marketing and industry trends. Booking is required and a single session is £15, with both sessions costing £25.

Exclusive networking (for example with Adobe!)

For many professionals, networking is one of the most valuable parts of the show. You can meet fellow creatives in the Pro Lounge, attend Happy Hour networking events or join organized meet-ups hosted by brands and ambassadors.

For example, there's an exclusive pro drinks reception hosted by Adobe on Monday March 16 from 17:00 at the Behind the Lens stage.

"Don’t miss our pro drinks reception on Monday evening," says Adobe. "This will be the perfect chance to network with fellow industry professionals in a relaxed setting."

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Browse the best professional cameras, the best photography lighting kits, and the best photo editing software.

A few days ago, the Instagram algorithm served me a gorgeous image of a leopard by a photographer I don’t follow. I clicked the caption to find out more. But instead of an explanation of where or how the photo was taken, I was slapped in the face by a tepid stream of AI-generated waffle.

You probably know the style. Quasi-poetic word vomit like: “the animal moved effortlessly through a canvas painted by light and pure chance.” Or this, which accompanied another picture of two penguins: “their paths crossing and uncrossing, a quiet choreography of pursuit and promise.”

I understand why, if you’re not a confident writer, you might be tempted to get ChatGPT to write your captions for you. But if you do, you’re shooting yourself in both feet at point-blank range for several crucial reasons.

First off, generative AI is the mortal enemy of creators. Where once a company would hire a photographer, a copywriter and a designer to make an advertisement, now one person can chuck in a prompt and it’ll spit out something usable – stolen and regurgitated from the very people whose jobs it is replacing.

Why would you want to feed the beast that’s eating you alive?

Next, AI is known to have a colossal environmental impact through building data centers, mining of raw materials and sucking up scarce water resources. For wildlife and landscape photographers to embrace it, without a second thought for the nature they claim to love, is a baffling contradiction.

But most of all, AI-generated captions aren’t even good. They’re bland, meaningless and boring: the written equivalent of chewing on polystyrene packaging. They’re also completely unnecessary. I’m not sure who told photographers that they need to become poets as well, but trust me – they really don’t.

If you’re a photographer on Instagram, your followers want to see your photography. They don’t expect you to be a great writer. They don’t want a novel, they just want to know where you were, how you took the image and what you thought. That’s all.

Don’t believe me? Think I’m a Luddite, the modern-day equivalent of a typist objecting to the invention of the computer? It seems I’m not alone. When I posted about this on Instagram, I received nearly 1000 likes and over 100 comments agreeing that AI-generated writing is “obvious, boring and harmful.”

In an era where trust and authenticity are paramount, your genuine voice, even if it’s not perfect, is worth so much more than a bowl of bland, robotic porridge.

After all, if you’ve clearly used AI to write your caption, it makes me wonder if you used it in your images too!

Bella will be talking on the Canon Spotlight stage at The Photography & Video Show on Tuesday March 17 at 1pm

Save 20% on your Photography & Video Show tickets with code DCW26

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Check out the best cameras for wildlife photography and the best lenses for bird photography and wildlife.

2026 marks the fifth anniversary of Calibrite; the brand that was created to take over X-Rite's photo and video calibration product division. Since then, Calibrate has launched a whole new range of color calibration devices, from the entry-level and accessibly-priced Display 123 colorimeter, through its core trio of Display SL, Display Plus HL and Display Pro HL monitor calibrators, to its flagship ColorChecker Studio complete monitor and printer calibration solution.

Calibrite's latest development is a new version of its Profiler calibration software package which works in conjunction with its hardware products. Profiler 3.0 gives you complete creative control over color, letting you build custom profiles for any printer–paper combination. Whether you prefer beginner‑friendly pre-sets, or have the expertise to make the most of advanced tools for precise colour tuning, Profiler 3.0 provides a clear and logical user interface.

There are pre-sets for photo, video, and pre-press, along with one-click functions for streamlined profiling. Delve deeper and settings such as luminance, white point, contrast targets and patch sizes are all customisable, saveable to custom pre-sets, and even sharable. Profiler 3.0 also includes a suite of utilities to evaluate monitor image quality, including colour and luminance uniformity across the screen, while Monitor Validation can be used to check the color accuracy of an existing color profile.

If you want to find out how to get the most out of Profiler 3.0, as well as learn about Calibrite's range of calibration devices, then head to The Photography & Video Show 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, which takes place 14-17 March. You'll find Calibrite's products available to sample at Stand G62 (Lumesca Group).

If you've been eyeing a brilliant compact camera to capture your next street story or travel adventure, the Ricoh GR IV has likely been on your radar.

One of the most anticipated compact cameras of 2025, it has even overtaken mirrorless rivals in sales in Japan and has been recognized with honors like the 2025 Good Design Award.

So yes – it's a great choice. But if you've never worked with a Ricoh GR model before, you might want to try it first. Luckily, The Photography & Video Show 2026 offers exactly that opportunity.

The show isn't just about talks and workshops; it offers hands-on photo walks designed to slow things down, ask questions and learn directly from industry experts in small, focused groups.

On every day of the show, from March 14-17 in Birmingham, you can join a Ricoh GR IV Photo Walk with photography tutor Daniel Bridge – the perfect chance to find out if the GR IV is the camera for you.

The Ricoh GR IV

The GR IV is a thoughtfully redesigned evolution of Ricoh's iconic GR series. Its 25.74MP backside-illuminated sensor and 18.3mm f/2.8 lens (28mm equivalent) deliver sharp, detailed images in a discreet, pocketable body.

The GR IV balances speed, usability and image quality, staying true to its legacy while incorporating subtle refinements that make shooting effortless. With familiar, intuitive controls and a minimalist design philosophy, it's perfect for street photography, travel or everyday shooting.

The Photo Walk

March 14, 15, 16 & 17 – 14:00 - 15:00
Ricoh / Pentax (Stand C100)
Tickets £10 (including Ricoh GR IV hire)

Discover the creative potential of the Ricoh GR on this one‑hour photo walk at The Photography & Video Show, led by expert photography tutor Daniel Bridge.

Whether you bring your own GR or rent a GR IV for the session (limited number available), Daniel will guide you through practical techniques to elevate your composition, timing and visual storytelling while shooting real‑world scenes together.

Places are limited and must be booked – early booking is advised! You can secure your place here.

Please note: You must have an entry ticket to the show in addition to purchasing an extra activity. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes early at the Ricoh / Pentax stand and you must bring photo ID with you.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

You might also like...

Browse the best compact cameras and the best cameras for street photography.

Becoming a professional nature photographer is no easy feat. You don’t just need an eye for a beautiful landscape or a striking wildlife scene, you also need to be business savvy.

The most successful nature photographers in the world are the ones who manage this balancing act well and, in fact, it doesn’t matter which photography niche you specialize in, you need to get this right to make a living from the craft.

Fortunately, The Photography & Video Show is just a week away with a schedule jam-packed with professionals ready and willing to share their wisdom on how to master capturing light, but also in ensuring you make enough money to keep the lights on at home.

While there are numerous speakers I could recommend, I’m most excited to hear Bella Falk, an accomplished wildlife and travel photographer who’s diversified her income across several photography-related streams, and Charlie Waite, the renowned landscape photographer with a unique creative style.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

Charlie Waite

Speaking on Saturday 14 March | 12:00 – 13:00 | Fundamentals Stage

Bella Falk

Speaking on Tuesday March 17 | 13:00 – 13:45 | Canon Spotlight stage

Bella Falk has an excellent eye for wildlife and travel photos, but also for shifting trends. As a BBC and National Geographic-published photographer and writer, not only is she a versatile creative, but she proves the importance of diversifying your skillset in today’s landscape.

Becoming a self-employed photographer means embarking on the uncertain path of entrepreneurialism, and Bella’s tips will give you a leg up along the way.

Bella’s advice will be balanced nicely by what Charlie Waite has to say. Waite is an acclaimed landscape photographer who, during a career spanning over 40 years, has won numerous accolades including fellowships to the Royal Photographic Society and the British Institute of Professional Photography.

He has tons of wisdom to share at the Show, and I’m most excited to learn about how he approaches shooting a scene and how he developed his instantly recognizable “painterly” style.

If you’re serious about making nature photography your living, Bella and Charlie will help you understand both sides of the professional coin.

Head to The Photography & Video Show website to get your ticket and come along to the biggest photography event in the UK. The four-day show runs Saturday 14 to Tuesday 17 March at the NEC in Birmingham, and doors open 10am each day.

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Read our expert takes on the best camera for landscape photography and the best camera for wildlife photography.

Canon’s stand (E80, D91) at The Photography & Video Show is always a highlight, and this year is shaping up to be no different. From Saturday, March 14 to Tuesday 17 at the NEC, Birmingham, you can immerse yourself in all the Canony goodness you can handle, including hands-on experiences with the latest Canon cameras and lenses, live demos and expert guidance, and inspiring talks from professional photographers.

No matter your flavour of photography, there’s something for everyone, from the content-creator-focused Canon EOS R50 V, the high-speed, full-frame, midrange monster that is the Canon EOS R6 Mark III, to the powerful run-and-gun cinema camera that is the Canon EOS C50. And of course, all the lovely RF lenses you could ever want to play with. Plus, the chance to capture a real-world scenario, thanks to a dynamic, live-shooting experience in the form of a Japanese martial arts kata.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

The stand will even include an immersive underwater virtual reality experience. This is due to Canon’s partnership with a pioneering coral breeding lab, along with Coral Spawning International and Nature Seychelles, which seeks to boost reef regeneration efforts. The VR experience is designed to highlight the plight that coral reefs face, demonstrate how imaging tech is helping marine biologists in their quest to turn the tide, and showcase the expansive creative possibilities of the EOS VR system.

But what I know I’ll be most looking forward to during the four-day show is the Canon Spotlight Stage’s incredible line-up of speakers. From beginners to professionals and from wildlife to weddings, there really is something for everyone. Here’s a list of what’s coming up…

Saturday March 14

• Maja Moan – Vision, Speed & Reality: Building a Global Career Behind the Frame (11:00 – 11:45)
• Jack Lodge – Two Cameras, Endless Possibilities: Canon EOS R5 Mark II & EOS R6 Mark III (12:00 – 12:45)
• Mike Marsland – Two Slip Discs in a Beehive (13:00 – 13:45)
• Helen Bartlett, Canon Ambassador – Seeing the Story: A Creative Approach to Family Photography (14:00 – 14:45)
• Dani Connor, Canon Ambassador – How I Capture Fairytale Moments with Red Squirrels (15:00 – 15:45)

Sunday March 15

• Jack Lodge – Never Miss a Moment: Autofocus Setup for Wildlife & Landscape (11:00 – 11:45)
• Dani Connor, Canon Ambassador – How I Capture Fairytale Moments with Red Squirrels (12:00 – 12:45)
• Rebecca Carpenter – More than moments: My approach to photographing weddings (13:00 – 13:45)
• Mike Marsland – Two Slip Discs in a Beehive (14:00 – 14:45)
• Maja Moan – Vision, Speed & Reality: Building a Global Career Behind the Frame (15:00 – 15:45)

Monday March 16

• Antony Zacharias – Minimalist Techniques for Architectural Photography (11:00 – 11:45)
• Kelsey Heinrichs – Getting noticed: how to build your presence on social media (12:00 – 12:45)
• Kevin Morgans – Chasing the Wild: A Photographic Life Across the British Isles (13:00 – 13:45)
• Rebecca Carpenter – Defining Your Signature Style in Wedding Photography (14:00 – 14:45)
• Jack Lodge – Two Cameras, Endless Possibilities: Canon EOS R5 Mark II & EOS R6 Mark III (15:00 – 15:45)

Tuesday March 17

• Jack Lodge – From Menu to Muscle Memory: Building the Ultimate Custom Setup (11:00 – 11:45)
• Kevin Morgans – Chasing the Wild: A Photographic Life Across the British Isles (12:00 – 12:45)
• Bella Falk – More Than Just a Photographer: Why Being Multi-Skilled Can Help Your Career (13:00 – 13:45)
• Helen Bartlett, Canon Ambassador – Seeing the Story: A Creative Approach to Family Photography (14:00 – 14:45)

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Maybe you're more of a Nikon fan. If so, here are five things not to miss on the Nikon stand at The Photography & Video Show. And if you can't make the show, don't worry, you can still keep up to date by checking on the latest camera news, right here on Digital Camera World. And for something a little different, who needs mirrorless cameras? NASA Artemis II astronauts are taking a trusty-old DSLR around the moon.

Photographer Alan Schaller knows the highs of global recognition but also the frustrating lows of an industry that often undervalues its creators.

From street photography to launching SPI (Street Photography International), and now Irys, a revolutionary photography platform with Schaller's consistent mission: champion photographers, protect their craft, and push for fair treatment in the industry.

Ahead of his talks at the Photography & Video Show 2026, he shared his thoughts on the challenges facing photographers today and gave insights into the app Irys – a space for photographers to share their work, explore career-fostering opportunities, and connect with other creatives – without the pressure of social media metrics.

Schaller's Talk

The monochrome mindset: Creativity, culture, and community

14 Mar 2026 – 15:45 - 16:45
Behind the Lens Theatre
The Photography & Video Show 2026

Alan Schaller is a giant of modern street photography. Renowned for his distinctive monochrome style and focus on shape and form, his work has been exhibited worldwide, and he is highly sought after by brands for commercial campaigns. He will discuss his career, his photography style, and how he has built his following. He'll also delve into how he came to launch Irys and the community-driven concept behind it.

Irys

A platform for photographers

• Focus on photography, not numbers, no pressure – No visible follower counts or toxic metrics, maintain ownership, no ads, safe platform. Share high-resolution work up to 30mb, EXIF data, any aspect ratio, non-downloadable.
• Join a supportive community & enhance your portfolio – share work, exchange ideas, organize projects or themed galleries, connect with like-minded photographers, and participate in competitions and challenges.
• Be discovered by the right people – Irys actively scouts talent and connects you with brands and publishers.
• Showcase your work beyond social media – Feature images in the Irys app, upcoming in-house magazine, gallery exhibitions, events, first test-runs of book publication starting this year
• Access fair-paid opportunities – Get compensated properly – better than standard industry deals.

Build from frustration, rooted in experience

For Schaller, social media numbers aren't the measure of talent. "I've got over 1 million followers on Instagram. Congrats.... I'm out. A lot of people see it like that because it's so prized – it's seen almost like your worth is your number. Some of the best photographers I know don't have a lot of followers at all."

Irys was created as a reaction to the toxic social media landscape and Schaller's frustration with the photography industry. "Because we got rid of the follower count, all the influencer people – they're not going to be interested. We want the people who are interested in photography."

"A huge focus on doing right by photographers, which I care about because I am one and I've been through a lot of terrible deals and situations," he explains.

Schaller saw how talented photographers were often undervalued. "People saying companies that are worth millions or billions have no budget... It's a very bizarre thing. There are a lot of advantages being taken, and it's not just photography – it's the music industry, it's writers and journalists getting paid hardly anything."

From the unfair reality that brands prioritize follower counts over photography skills, he emphasizes that photographers are creators, not marketers – their craft should be appreciated without the distraction of social media performance metrics.

"I want photographers to be valued for their work, not their numbers," he explains. Schaller adds, "It's crazy how far Irys has become. But here we are, trying not to behave like everyone else, and show that you can have a successful business while being fair to the artists and the community."

Pro Advice

Schaller's personal philosophy is grounded in focus and mastery. "There are very few artists in history who are multidisciplinary. Leonardo da Vinci was one of them. It's probably a good idea to focus on something... for me, that fell into monochrome photography, street photography, and abstract photography."

He sees mastery as a journey: "I've been doing black and white photography now for over 10 years, and I'm still experimenting. There's a lot to explore within just one genre... It's like the cerebral equivalent of being an athlete. Creativity engages your brain, how to make someone you've never met understand or feel something."

For aspiring photographers, Schaller's advice is 'simple': focus, think, and explore intentionally. "It's the thought process that's exciting – being an artist, not just what settings you're using or what camera you have."

For more insights, make sure not to miss Schaller's talk at the Photography & Video Show 2026 on March 14 at 15:45 at the Behind the Lens Theatre. For more information, visit the show's website.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

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Dive deeper into the monochrome topic. Here are tips on how to think in black and white and how to select in-camera B&W to master mono and keep color. You might also want to discover the #1 mistake in black-and-white photography – and how to fix it.

The Photography & Video Show 2026 is almost upon us and will be running from March 14-17 at the NEC in Birmingham. Nikon will, of course, be there, and here's what you can expect to find on and around its huge stand at location C11.

In addition to showcasing its renowned product line-up, where you can try out the latest and greatest Nikon kit for yourself, and hosting a series of inspirational talks covering all things photography and videography, there will be an all-new Nikon ZR cinema room, guided photo walks, and your chance to win a Nikon camera and lens, just by stopping by the stand!

You can find all the information on the show at the official website, but here are 5 very good reasons for Nikon photographers to visit the Nikon stand.

Save 20% on Photography & Video Show tickets with code DCW26

1. Try out the latest Nikon gear
The show is your chance to get hands-on with the full Z series range, from the flagship Z9 to Nikon’s latest full-frame mirrorless camera, the Z5 II. Nikon will also debut its newest video-first innovations, including Nikon’s first cinematic camera, the ZR, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, and the newly announced Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S II, which will be on show for the very first time!

2. Nikon School Stage
The Nikon School Stage will feature an impressive lineup of Nikon Ambassadors who will each deliver talks, sharing their unique careers and expertise. Among them are Landscape photographer Nigel Danson, Music photographer Scarlet Page, and Automotive photographer Amy Shore. Joining them on stage will be numerous Nikon Creators, including Street photographer Lucy Hamdizadeh, Wedding photographer Gurvir Johal, and Wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby, who will each share inspiring stories from their creative journeys and recent projects.

Nikon School trainers Neil Freeman and Ricci Chera will also take to the stage throughout the show, delivering a series of informative talks on various photography topics designed to educate and inspire photographers of all skill levels. Don’t miss award-winning ten-year-old wildlife photographer Jamie ‘Eagle Eyed Girl’ Smart, with her dad, James Smart, in conversation with Ricci on Saturday, March 14. See the full Nikon School Stage Speaker Schedule

3. Z Cinema Room
For the very first time, the Nikon stand will be equipped with a dedicated Z Cinema room, where visitors can test out the image quality of the ZR in-person. Experience the flexibility of REDCODE RAW (R3D) with daily live video-editing sessions with Nikon’s video expert Bruno Murari. Each day, live editing sessions will run at 11:45 – 12:15, 13:00 – 13:30, and 14:15 – 14:45.

4. Guided Long-lens Walks
Nikon will be running guided long-lens photo walks, where you’ll have the chance to explore a variety of super-telephoto lenses and take your photography skills to the next level. This is your opportunity to test out that long lens you’ve been eyeing up and see its exceptional performance firsthand. Each day, long-lens walks will run at 12:00 – 12:30, 13:00 – 13:30, 14:00 – 14:30 (the 14:00 session will not run on Tuesday, March 17).

5. Win A Z50II + 16-50mm VR kit!
And if all that weren't enough to entice you to visit the Nikon stand, perhaps the chance to win the incredible Z50 II + Z DX 16-50mm lens kit will! All you need to do to enter is turn up at stand C11. Good luck!

SAVE 20% ON TICKETS!

Get your Photography & Video Show tickets here, and make sure to use our exclusive discount code to save 20%: DCW26

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

Photography is one of the most versatile creative media out there. You can approach it classically, experiment boldly, or blend genres into something entirely your own. That freedom is what makes photography so exciting.

But as photographers, we don't always feel inspired – even with all those possibilities, there are moments when it just... stalls.

That's where I am right now. Same streets. Same habits. Same way of looking at things. And if you've ever felt creatively stuck with your camera, you'll know how frustrating that can be. Sometimes listening to other photographers talk about their work and process is enough to shift your own.

That's why I'm genuinely looking forward to The Photography & Video Show 2026 – because I need a new perspective: to discover new ideas, new genres, and new ways of approaching the medium.

With so many free talks happening at the show, it feels like the perfect place to reset. I'll get to hear professional photographers break down their creative process, discover new photography techniques and shooting approaches, and explore new genres.

And the good thing about photography is that you don't have to commit to a complete reinvention. If you already own a camera, there's very little to lose.

If you're feeling uninspired too, maybe this is your nudge. Sometimes all it takes is seeing how someone else works to rediscover your own way of seeing.

That's why I'll be sharing the five speakers I'm most looking forward to – and they might encourage you to try something different, too...

Top 5 Talks

1. The monochrome mindset: Creativity, culture, and community

Speaker: Alan Schaller, Street Photographer
14 Mar 2026 – 15:45 - 16:45 – Behind the Lens Theatre

Alan is a giant of modern street photography. Since picking up a camera in 2015, his profile has grown exponentially. Now renowned for his distinctive monochrome style and focus on shape and form, his work has been exhibited worldwide, and he is highly sought after by brands for commercial campaigns.

Also known for his work as co-founder of Street Photography International, which spotlights emerging street photographers across the globe, in 2025 Alan founded a new photo sharing app, Irys.

Here, Alan will discuss his career, his photography style, and how he has built his following. He'll also delve into how he came to launch Irys, and the community-driven concept behind it.

2. Passes, pits & premieres: What it really takes to shoot the events photographers dream of

Speaker: Dr Denise Maxwell, Photographer, Educator and Mentor
15 Mar 2026 – 10:15 - 10:45 – Behind the Lens Theatre

Do you dream of shooting huge events? How do you even start? Denise has captured everything from celebs on red carpets to presidents, athletics, and the Commonwealth Games, and she's here to give you her insights from the inside.

She'll discuss how to get started, the application processes, and the kind of kit and approach needed to be successful - as well as what happens when you get there.

3. From mountains to the sea: How we photograph nature matters

Speaker: Espen Helland, Wildlife Photographer
15 Mar 2026 – 11:50 - 12:20 – Behind the Lens Theatre

Join Espen on a journey from high peaks to ocean shores, as he discusses his approach to photographing wildlife across various terrains.

Beginning with muskox in Norway and mountain hares in Scotland, Espen will descend the mountains to visit healthland and forest-dwelling birds, before capturing great crested grebes in the lochs, dippers and wagtails in the rivers, and finally seabirds at the coast – all the while with this mantra in mind: It's how we photograph nature that matters.

4. Lighting dogs, three ways

Speaker: Belinda Richards, Creative Pet Photographer
16 Mar 2026 – 14:00 - 14:30 – Photo Live Stage

Join Belinda Richards as she walks you through three of her go-to studio lighting setups for dogs, showing how small lighting changes can dramatically shift mood, shape, and impact. You'll see how each setup is built, why it works, and when to use it – from clean and classic, to bold and dramatic.

Belinda will break down light placement, modifiers, and practical tips for working efficiently with canine subjects in a studio environment. Perfect for photographers who want to elevate their dog portraits with lighting that is intentional, repeatable, and creatively flexible.

5. How a collective can take your film photography further

Speaker: Mandy Izquierdo, Film Photographer
17 Mar 2026 – 14:00 - 14:30 _ Analogue Stage

Would you like to help shape the future of film photography? In this session, Mandy will share the story of the community she founded - OnlyFilms. From its beginnings as a small group of film photographers, Mandy will discuss how it has grown into a space for collaboration, events, podcasts and dialogue around analogue photography.

Sharing her vision for where OnlyFilms is going, from learning and sharing to professional development, Mandy will invite you to join her, and discover how collaboration can strengthen your creative voice, and offer a rich source of contacts and opportunities.

The Photography & Video Show 2026

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

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Browse the best cameras for beginners, the best professional cameras, and the best cheap cameras.

A street photographer with a keen eye for human stories and everyday moments, Flavio explored a wide range of photographic genres before gravitating towards street photography – a move that reflects his enduring curiosity about people and their lives.

A Light & Land tutor, Flavio recently teamed up with fellow tutor Mark Seymour to launch Shoot the Street, a YouTube series dedicated to street, travel and people photography.

Flavio will be speaking on the Light & Land stand (B87) on Saturday 14 March at 1.30pm.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

See Flavio talk at The Photography & Video Show 2026

'Seeing the world like a street photographer' with Flavio Bosi will take place on the Light & Land stand (B87) on Saturday 14 March at 1.30pm.

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

The Spyder Holster has for many years been a convenient, well-designed way to keep your camera by you side for rapid access, doing away with a traditional neck or shoulder strap. The holster section attaches to your belt, while a stout metal plate attached to your camera's tripod mounting point enables the camera to be slid into and out of the holster effortlessly. I've used the original Spyder Holster and found to be a great piece of kit, but now its makers have launched the third generation: SpiderPro Holster Set v3. Compatible with both DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, it's comprised of two main elements: the SpiderPro Suspension System v3, and the Spider Camera Plate v3.

The premium belt-mounted Suspension System v3 is crafted from durable precision metal with a luxurious and removable leather scuff pad, securing your camera while also protecting your clothing from wear caused by constant movement. The top of the Suspension System has an integrated quick disconnect socket which can be used with an optional Spider Shoulder Harness System to reduce the weight on your belt. The holster has two attachment modes for your camera: Auto-Lock Mode requires you to first lift a lever in order to remove your camera for added security. Alternatively, push the lever upward until it clicks into place and Quick-Draw Mode is engaged, allowing unobstructed quick-draw camera access.

The Spider Camera Plate v3 attaches to your camera via its 1/4"-20 tripod mount. Two stout pins made from CNC stainless steel are securely attached to the plate, and it's one of these pins which slides into the holster. The Camera Plate is compatible with mirrorless and DSLR cameras, with or without a battery grip. It's sized to still allow access to your camera's battery. Rubber pads ensure it won't twist or work loose from your camera, and there are small 'camera bumpers' that further prevent unwanted rotation on smaller camera bodies. The plate has an Arca-Swiss base, so can be clipped straight into an Arca-compatible tripod head; this part is even removable, so can be used as a standalone Arca tripod plate. Alternatively, if you need to connect to a non-Arca tripod, there are two 1/4"-20 mounting points where you can attach a proprietary QR plate to the Spider Camera Plate v3.

The SpiderPro Holster Set v3 is available now, with the leather scuff pad available in black or brown options, priced ay $169/£152.66.

If you'd like to try before you buy, the SpiderPro Holster Set v3 will be on display at the Photography and Video Show 2026, Stand G62, which takes place 14-17 March at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

With more than 15,000 members, SheClicks has become one of the most influential UK networks for female photographers and shooters who identify as women.

And the women-led photography community is returning to The Photography & Video Show 2026 – you can say hello at stand C66 or watch the SheClicks Awards live on March 14 from 14:00 on the Analogue Stage.

This year's stand is – again – a welcoming space for women to connect, ask questions, and feel part of something bigger.

A safe space in a big industry

Founded by photography journalist Angela Nicholson, SheClicks was created to offer something many women felt was missing: a friendly, supportive environment where photographers of all levels could share work, get technical advice, and celebrate achievements without judgment.

"Support is at the heart of SheClicks," says Nicholson. "It's about having a friendly space where you can ask questions without feeling that you shouldn't be asking them – and connecting with like-minded photographers."

The SheClicks stand acts as a meeting point: somewhere to pause, chat, and meet fellow photographers face-to-face.

Why to visit and join SheClicks at the show

1. A supportive space to ask anything

No question is "too basic." No achievement is "too small."

Members range from beginners to experienced photographers, with many who shoot regularly for pleasure, growth and creative expression.

At SheClicks, the atmosphere is built around encouragement, not ego. It's a space where curiosity is welcomed.

2. Useful advice from women

SheClick supports photographers across every genre – but what makes it different is perspective.

The technical advice shared is grounded in real-world use by women. It's about what works and not just what's trending.

3. Step outside your comfort zone

Growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone.

SheClicks actively encourages members to enter competitions, submit images to magazines, or finally share their work more publicly.

Seeing other members stepping out of their comfort zone makes it less intimidating to try yourself.

4. Finding friends in the real-world

SheClicks began online, but it doesn't stay there.

The community organizes free meetups across the UK, from park photo walks to National Trust visits. There are also webinars, workshops and even international photography trips.

It's more than improving your photographic skills. It's about finding creative friendships.

5. Getting inspired through like-minded people

Photography is personal. It's how you see the world – being surrounded by people who understand that – who get excited about new ideas, composition, or light – is energizing.

The SheClicks experience is centered around photography, but the real magic often happens in conversations. Ideas spark. Confidence builds. Inspiration multiples.

For more information and inspiration, visit the SheClicks website.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

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Browse the best cameras for beginner and the best professional cameras.

The Photography & Video Show has always been a calendar highlight for photographers, but if you still think it’s just about mirrorless launches and lens announcements, 2026 is shaping up to prove otherwise.

One of the standout additions to this year’s program is a paid workshop led by Finnish director of photography Jenni Suitiala, and it firmly plants the show in serious filmmaking territory.

Suitiala is no armchair educator. She’s a working cinematographer who moves fluidly between documentary and narrative film, with credits spanning documentaries screened on Channel 4 and Sky, as well as feature films and high-end television lighting crews. Alongside her production work, she serves as a visiting tutor teaching lighting and cinematography at multiple universities and NFTS North, bringing real-world, on-set experience straight into the classroom. That blend of practical craft and academic rigor is exactly what makes this workshop one to watch.

At The Photography & Video Show 2026, Suitiala will host an exclusive session on March, 15 2026 from 11:00-12:30 in the Toute Suite (just outside the Hall 5 of the NEC, where the main show is taking place). 

This session which will focus on how to set up and light a master documentary interview. This isn’t theory-heavy fluff. It’s a practical, demonstrative workshop designed to show how a professional DP approaches shaping light, controlling contrast, and building mood in a documentary setting where time, space, and resources are often limited. For anyone who has ever struggled to make a talking head look cinematic rather than flat, this is the kind of session that can shift your entire approach.

What I particularly like about this addition is what it says about the direction of the show. Yes, there will be cameras, lenses, tripods, and all the kit we obsess over. But by platforming a working DP with credits across broadcast and film, The Photography & Video Show is making it clear that storytelling, lighting craft, and professional-level filmmaking are just as central to the event. It’s a reminder that the industry doesn’t stop at stills, and neither should we.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

If you’re planning to attend, it’s important to note that this is a paid workshop, costing £24. You’ll need to purchase a ticket for admission to The Photography & Video Show 2026, and then book your place separately on Suitiala’s workshop.

Spaces are limited, and sessions like this tend to fill quickly, especially when they promise hands-on insight you can immediately apply to your own work.

For filmmakers, hybrid shooters, and photographers who are increasingly stepping into motion, this feels like one of those quietly essential sessions.

A well-lit interview can elevate a documentary from competent to compelling. Learning how a seasoned DP builds that look, step by step, is the kind of investment that pays off long after the show floor lights dim.

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

You can book for additional workshops and photo walks using this link.

The Photography & Video Show 2026 is coming to the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre in just a few short weeks, and to help ramp up the excitement, the organizers are giving away a Canon EOS R8 bundle, Canon EOS R50 V Creator Kit, and Canon Selphy QX20 printer in our free prize draw! All you need to do is supply your email address to be in with a chance of winning these fabulous prizes.

The top prize is a bundle of a Canon EOS R8 camera, Canon RF 24-50mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens, and Pixma PRO-200S professional photo printer, worth £2,289.99.

The runner-up takes home a Creator Kit comprising a Canon EOS R50 V vlogging camera and Canon RF-S 14-30mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ, along with a couple of accessories, which would normally set you back £999.99.

And the third prize isn't to be sniffed at either, with the winner claiming a Canon Selphy QX20 instant printer, which retails at £124.99.

We said of the Canon EOS R8: "The Canon EOS R8 kind of does it all. Whatever your photographic medium, this camera can shoot it. The R8 does not scrimp on the technology, using the same sensor and processor as the R6 Mark II, with the latest subject recognition and tracking, 24.2MP images, ISO all the way up to 102400, and that blistering 40 frames per second shooting speed."

We were equally enthusiastic about the Canon RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM: "Full-frame compatible zoom lenses don’t get any smaller than this, and while it doesn’t stretch into telephoto territory, wide-angle and standard focal lengths are covered in style, complete with effective optical stabilization and snappy, near-silent autofocus. It’s a lens that truly punches above its weight."

Our five-star review of the Canon Pixma Pro-200S concluded: "For vibrant color photo prints on glossy and luster paper, there’s no beating the Canon Pixma Pro-200S, and it’s great for glossy black-and-white photos as well. When you want a bit of gloss, this is the perfect printer with quality that shines through. And it’s a bit of a speed demon to boot."

Our summary of the EOS R50 V and RF-S 14-30mm, which are central to the Creator Kit, went: "Invest in the Canon EOS R50 V, and you're not just arming yourself to create great content today – you're arming yourself with pro-level tools that will grow with you as your skills, reach, and monetization mature. Make sure you pick up the RF-S 14-30mm Power Zoom with it – these two are absolutely perfect dance partners."

Our reviewer of the Canon Selphy QX20 gushed: "I like the convenience and quality of the Canon Selphy QX20 printer. It’s great being able to print physical photo prints anywhere and everywhere, in less than a minute. It’s also very nice being able to share real prints with family and friends at special events."

So what are you waiting for – it takes just a couple of minutes to show your interest, and you could win some brilliant prizes!

Enter now to be in with the chance of winning!

The Photography & Video Show 2026 runs for four days from Saturday, March 14 to Tuesday, March 17, and will be open 10:00 to 17:00 every day. It is a must-attend event for anyone with an interest in photography or filmmaking: the biggest players in the industry show off all their latest kit; there are inspiring talks from famous content creators; and famous show deals where you can pick up the gear you've been lusting after at a knockdown price. Here's everything you need to know about the show.

Tickets for The Photography & Video Show 2026 are now on sale, and you can get hold of yours (with a 20% discount on standard tickets with the code DCW26) at The Photography & Video Show box office.

Book your Photography & Video Show tickets

The Photography & Video Show is presented by Future Plc, which is also the parent company of Digital Camera World.

An artist, conflict mediator and school governor, Aneesa is also a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.

She has dedicated the second half of her professional life to creating photography with social and brand impact, and whatever the background of her subjects, Aneesa brings a burst of creative energy to every shoot she does, as she strives to create a diverse array of honest portraits.

Aneesa prints her photographs on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta paper, and her talk is brought to you by Hahnemühle (G97).

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

See Aneesa Dawoojee at The Photography & Video Show 2026

'Preserving the unarchived: Imprinting lives of care and community' with Aneesa Dawoojee will take place on Tuesday March 17, 11.30am-12pm, on the Behind The Lens Theatre, sponsored by Hahnemühle.

For anyone wishing to ask Aneesa questions, she will be taking part in a 'meet the experts' session after the talk, and printing her work on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta paper.

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

Following a career in the software industry, Nick became a photographer and launched the Nick Church Creative Academy, which offers a range of online courses plus 1:1 coaching sessions with Nick himself.

Whether you want to learn or enhance photography and editing skills, boost your creativity or turn photography into a thriving business, Nick can help.

Nick will be giving two talks at The Photography & Video Show: 'Nail Your Exposure in Manual Mode'; and 'Da Vinci got it wrong! The Histogram Myth.'

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

See Nick Church's talks at The Photography & Video Show

'Nail Your Exposure in Manual Mode' with Nick Church takes place on Saturday March 14, 3.30-3.50pm, on the Fundamentals Stage.

'Da Vinci got it wrong! The Histogram Myth' with Nick Church takes place on Sunday 15 March, 4-4.30pm, on the Fundamentals Stage.

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

Hailing from Norway but now based in Perthshire, Scotland, Espen Helland is a wildlife and conservation photographer and videographer.

With an MSc in Wildlife and Conservation, Espen spent five years working as an ecologist in Scotland and uses his camera as a tool for conservation, sharing its incredible wildlife through photos and videos. You can find him on YouTube and he also runs in-person workshops.

His talk at The Photography & Video Show 2026, taking place on March 15 at the NEC in Birmingham in the UK, is titled 'From Mountains to the Sea: How we Photograph Nature Matters' and is presented by OM System.

Espen sat down with me for a quick Q&A ahead of his presentation.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

See Espen Helland speak at The Photography & Video Show

'From Mountains to the Sea: How we Photograph Nature Matters' with Espen Helland is brought to you by OM System and takes place on Sunday March 15 at 11.50am-12.20pm at the Behind the Lens Theatre.

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

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Take a look at the best cameras for wildlife photography, as well as the best lenses for bird photography and wildlife.

The SheClicks Awards return this year – and the winners will once again be revealed at The Photography & Video Show in Birmingham. And you can join in!

These awards are refreshingly different: a celebration of the cameras, lenses, accessories and services that women photographers genuinely value.

Founded by photography journalist Angela Nicholson, SheClicks has grown into one of the UK's most influential communities for female photographers. And its annual awards reflect the same core mission: support, visibility and recognition.

In an industry where award panels have traditionally been male-dominated, the SheClicks Awards offer a perspective shaped by women behind the camera.

"The SheClicks Awards highlight the equipment that excites female photographers in real-world experience," says Nicholson. "We award the gear that some SheClickers love using every day, while other women in the group aspire to own it."

Categories range across cameras, lenses, accessories and more, for example, the Enthusiast Camera of the Year – an interesting segment for Nicholson and the 15,000+ strong SheClicks community.

"Categories like Enthusiast Camera of the Year are always closely watched," Nicholson says. "They represent real-world aspirations."

Community-led recognition

Two of the most meaningful awards – the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Customer Service Award – are decided by a group-wide vote.

The Outstanding Achievement Award honors women photographers whose work and influence have made a lasting impact.

The Customer Service Award recognizes retailers and service providers that go above and beyond. While industry standards have improved significantly, the category acknowledges the importance of positive, knowledgeable experiences for women in camera stores and service environments.

"That recognition is important," Nicholson notes. "We want to celebrate the businesses that are genuinely supportive."

Spotlight Award: Championing emerging Talent

Introduced last year, the Spotlight Award was created to broaden visibility and encourage diversity.

"We realized that when awards are purely popularity-driven, it's often the big, established names who receive the most votes," Nicholson explains. "The Spotlight Award allows us to recognize inspiring photographers earlier in their careers – or those with under-recognized talent doing exciting, distinctive work."

SheClicks at The Photography & Video Show

The SheClicks Awards presentation at The Photography & Video Show promises to be a highlight – celebrating not only standout kit, but the strength of community behind it.

If you're attending the show this year, make sure to catch the announcement. You can find more information on the SheClicks website.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

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Browse the best cameras for beginner and the best professional cameras.

An award-winning equine and abstract photographer, Carys travels to countries including Austria, France, Iceland, Portugal, The Netherlands and Norway to seek out horses in their native environments and intriguing landscapes.

Having combined her twin passions of horses and photography into a successful career, Carys uses a range of in-camera techniques including long exposures and intentional camera movement to create striking fine-art images.

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

See Carys Jones speak at The Photography & Video Show 2026

'The Horse In Motion: The art of creative equine photography' with Carys Jones takes place on Saturday March 14, 2-2.30pm, in the Behind the Lens Theatre.

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

Film photography is far from obsolete – and Mandy Izquierdo (aka Mandyleft) shows how to master it today.

The professional film photographer specializes in demanding genres like fashion and documentary. At The Photography & Video Show 2026, she will lead two sessions on the professional use of film, sharing workflows, equipment choices, film stocks, processing techniques, and scanning methods.

"I'll explain workflows and options, and answer practical questions about using film for professional projects," she says – a must-attend for photographers wanting to bring film into their modern workflow.

Mandy Izquierdo's talks

1) Building a film workflow that works for clients
Monday March 16 2026 – 15:00 - 15:30 – Analogue Stage

In this session, Mandy will take you through the complete process of using film for professional work. She'll cover how to choose the right camera format and film stock for a specific job, plan and budget for film shoots, and manage the process from exposure to delivery.

She'll also show different options for processing, scanning and editing, giving insight on choosing the workflow that best suits your needs.

2) How a collective can take your film photography further
Tuesday March 17 2026 – 14:00 - 14:30 – Analogue Stage

Would you like to help shape the future of film photography? In this session, Mandy will share the story of the community she founded - OnlyFilms.

From its beginnings as a small group of film photographers, Mandy will discuss how it has grown into a space for collaboration, events, podcasts and dialogue around analogue photography.

Sharing her vision for where OnlyFilms is going, from learning and sharing to professional development, Mandy will invite you to join her, and discover how collaboration can strengthen your creative voice, and offer a rich source of contacts and opportunities.

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

Gear + Insights

I don't use digital cameras in my photographic work, although I have recently purchased a digital camera specifically for scanning film, trying it as an alternative to flatbed scanning.

I develop and scan my black and white film myself, and I spend a lot of time printing in the darkroom, which is a very important part of my practice.

The cameras I use most are the Rolleiflex 2.8, Canon EOS-1V, and Pentax 6×7, although I also work with 4×5 using my Zone VI large format camera.

I'm also a bit of a camera collector and enjoy learning through experimenting with different film cameras.

In terms of contemporary tools, I work with studio flash and also enjoy shooting Polaroid and Instax, which I actively use in my projects.

I regularly organise exhibitions to show and share my work, and I have experience leading community photography projects, as well as organising and delivering workshops and events for film photographers.

I am currently organising an event for filmmakers and film photographers in collaboration with The Garden Cinema in London, which will take place on February 20.

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Browse the best film cameras, the best 35mm film, roll film, and sheet film, and the best film scanners.

Astrophotography pushes both camera gear and technique to the limit. From battling light pollution to mastering long exposures and working with specialist equipment, making the sky's beauty visible takes patience, precision, and the right tools.

If you're interested in astrophotography, chances are you've already come across the work of Josh Dury. The award-winning astrophotographer is known for his mesmerising night sky images – and he's also the best-selling author of 52 Assignments Night Photography – a practical guide for mastering low-light and after-dark shooting.

Ahead of his upcoming talk at The Photography & Video Show 2026, Dury offered a look inside his kitbag – revealing the camera, lenses, and astro photography gear he trusts to bring his creative vision to life.

From specialist equipment to the techniques that make deep-sky detail possible, here's what powers one of the UK's leading night sky photographers.

Josh Dury's Talk

Sustainable approaches for astrophotography
Tuesday March 17 2026 – 10:30 - 11:00 – Behind the Lens Theatre

As astrophotography grows in popularity and more of us turn our cameras to the skies, there is a growing demand and pressure for our 'dark-sky' places.

Astro expert Josh will uncover the inherent challenges of capturing the night skies, and discuss how photographers can promote positive stewardship at popular locations, limit light pollution, and protect nocturnal species.

Also looking at how we can identify new images and avoid repeated content when pitching to potential clients, Josh will contemplate the present and future of astrophotography, while encouraging us all to expand our horizons.

Find more information on The Photography & Video Show website

Pro Gear + techniques

Dury's astro setup

1. Camera
My preferred camera of choice is the Sony A7s III – it's best suited to low-light environments and a powerhouse.

With increased Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), images taken in low light environments appear cleaner and more defined with minimal image artefacts and noise (*dependent on value that is selected).

2. Lens
Sigma 14mm F/1.4 DG DN boasts f/1.4 capability at 14mm, is not only a wide-angle lens, the light gathering capability is staggering.

With greater light entering the camera to the sensor, exposures that were typically being achieved with a f/2.8 lens by comparison take half the time, even seconds to utilise.

3. Specialist tool: Sky-watcher Star Adventurer
For utilising long exposures, the Skywatcher Star Adventurer is a fantastic star tracker to use. It requires more components to operate, but the tracking – when set up correctly – allows for lengthy exposures.

A sleek, stylish design coupled with a heavier payload makes for a user-friendly interface when dealing with more complex photographic techniques.

The Starman's favorite technique

It's a difficult one to answer, as I like to experiment with multiple methods.

One that catches my attention is long exposure; revealing celestial attractions in the night-sky that are not visible to the human eye.

Opening up the interesting question is what else is there for us to see amongst the stars?

• The Photography & Video Show 2026: everything you need to know
• Get 20% off tickets of your tickets with our exclusive money-saving code!

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Browse the best cameras for astrophotography, the best lenses for astrophotography, and the best star tracker camera mounts for astrophotography.