Nikon has created some truly spectacular lenses since their early days. Models such as 70-200mm f2.8 VR FL, 50mm f1.4G AF-S, and 24-70mm f2.8 VR are quite exciting for photographers into architecture, portraits, and landscape. The company's shift to mirrorless has only made thin…
Do you love to shoot candids? If you're a street photographer, event photographer, or wedding photographer, you'll adore what our presets can do for you. Our presets are designed to make editing a minimal task so you can get back to shooting! We're in love with Retro Digital. Lu…
Canon has some extraordinary cameras and lenses in this vast portfolio. The company has launched models such as the 5D series and the 1DX series, as well as popular lenses such as the Canon EF 16-35mm f4L IS USM and Canon EF 85mm f1.4L IS USM. With the new mirrorless mount, the…
1787: “Caroline Lucretia Herschel became the first woman to receive a salary as a scientist and hold a government position in the UK.” 2025: “Professor Michele Dougherty CBE FRS FRAS became the first woman appointed Astronomer Royal in the UK.” 💬 Join t…
In a review of City of Angels, the 1998 Hollywood remake of Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders, Roger Ebert says: To compare the two films is really beside the point, since “Wings of Desire” exists on its own level as a visionary and original film, and “City of Angels” ex…
Two of the most promiscuous snack brands, Oreo and Reese’s, are teaming up to bring the eating public two new treats: the Oreo Reese’s Cookie and Reese’s Oreo Cups. 🫱 Is this… 🦋 innovation? 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
The Rule of Law Is Dead in the US. “I did not write an ‘end of term’ Supreme Court review piece this year because… what’s the point? [Critiquing individual cases] feels like a guy on the Titanic complaining about the song selection from the band.”
Entertaining YouTuber Benn Jordan built a setup to record and analyze bird sounds, songs, and calls. He used it to record a starling who has mastered mimicking all sorts of manmade and artificial sounds in its environment, including things like the default iPhone camera shutte…
Motherfucking windfarms. In Europe, they’re called Royale with Breeze. (I stole that joke from Bluesky.) 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
In 2009, novelist Haruki Murakami controversially accepted the Jerusalem prize for the Freedom of the Individual in Society in the aftermath of Israeli military action in Gaza. In his acceptance speech, he related a story about something he keeps in mind while writing: “Betwe…
Forthcoming book from Bill McKibben: Here Comes the Sun. “Energy from the sun and wind is suddenly the cheapest power on the planet and growing faster than any energy source in history — if we can keep accelerating the pace, we have a chance.” 💬 Join the…
Bill McKibben: Rooftop Solar Is a Miracle. Why Are We Killing It With Red Tape? In many countries, getting rooftop solar or “balcony solar” can be as easy going to the store, buying some panels, and plugging them in. In the US, it’s not so easy.
The battle over which is the best-selling camera manufacturer is as old as the companies themselves. While today we have a few monopolies, the struggle between them has not really ended. In fact, even today, each manufacturer tries to win the crown at various award shows to show…
Rebecca Solnit: The renewable energy revolution is a feat of technology. “It is nothing less than astonishing and unbelievable that we have achieved so much progress in so little time.”
Ross Anderson writes about how scientific empires, from the ancient Sumerians to the Nazis to the Soviet Union in the 1950s, have crumbled (or been willfully dismantled by ideologues) and the clear signs that the same thing is happening here in the United States under the conser…
Side effect of the Tour de France: pro riders gobbling up all the Strava top times (King of the Mountains) across France: “1,809 KOMs nabbed by the pros during the three weeks of racing”. 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
How conspiracy theories about COVID’s origins are hampering our ability to prevent the next pandemic. “Evidence hasn’t emerged” to support that idea that SARS-CoV-2 originated in a laboratory. Here’s what the evidence says.
Photography techniques have helped myriad image-makers find their footing in a highly competitive world. Some have figured this out early in their careers, while others have to wait and find out later. Either way, we bring to you a few photography techniques that can help you if…
Just the other day, I was talking about how awesome the Panasonic LUMIX S9 is with staffer Alberto Lima. We both agree that if you're looking for a small, full-frame camera that it's hard to beat. It dawned on me that Panasonic also hasn't made any sort of larger-sensor compact…
A good camera is the most important tool for a street photographer, as it is equipped with a good lens. Street photography is another genre where a good camera can do wonders. However, for most image-makers in this genre, a camera also helps them conceal where they are to get so…
If you're the type that loves to go birding, then you've probably got a small stable of lenses that you want to choose from. With that, the Sigma 300-600mm f4 DG OS Sports is most likely an option that you'd want to consider, but also know that it's very pricey. This is a lens t…
The Wirecutter’s list of the best canned cocktails. Very interested to hear people’s thoughts on this. None of these are available at my local liquor store, but we do have Barr Hill’s canned G&T, which is the best canned cocktail I’ve ever tasted. 💬…