And another season begins!
One note I’ll make is that usually the best deals on Black Friday or Cyber Monday are media cards, batteries and software deals, which is why I’m starting here. In the US, tariffs have been affecting physical gear prices so keep an eye out special pricing.
Of course your year end purchases go to your tax bottom line, so this is traditionally a time to get the gear you’ve had our eye on.

To start let’s go with software deals!
You may already be set in your main editing software for stills.
Both Adobe Lightroom

and Capture One

both require a renewable license. It’s a strong software trend these days. Continue Reading »

There are things we have no control over, like when a loved one develops a condition, that there is no coming back from.
Chris Hemsworth, known for his big screen roles as Thor, lays bare his personal life as he grapples with the reality of his father, Craig, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, slowly starting to feel the effects.
In an effort to grab onto his dad’s memories, and slow his cognitive decline, Chris embraces a method of social connection called Reminiscence Therapy to try to prolong his dad’s life and reduce the risk of dementia.
He did this by taking a road trip across Australia to common grounds and even returning to his childhood home, which was also propped out to replicate the way it was when he was a child.

This intimate, and sometimes heartbreaking documentary, A Road Trip To Remember was Executive Produced by Darren Aronofsky for Nat Geo and Disney+.
The film goes between the motorcycle road trip to revisiting people and memories from his dad, Roger’s, past life in an effort to stave off an upcoming fog.

It is available as of Nov. 23 on Nat Geo, then Nov. 24th on Disney+, and Hulu

Of special importance is the visit to the old home where the art dept re-created by referencing photographs. Posters, appliances, furniture and more were able to bring the long-ago life and spark a cognizance and connection.

Chris asks his father about his memories from a childhood photo of them that is one of Chris’ favorites. (credit: National Geographic/Craig Parry)

Chris and his father Craig talk around a camp fire while on their trip. (credit: National Geographic/Craig Parry)

Chris’s mother joins on the home visit and you can feel the struggle of her seeing her husband going through this.

To put onto video,  this emotional journey requires a very delicate and deliberate small film team.
There is an intimacy with this footage where as the viewer you get lost in the moments.

Only a few times do you see the effects of Alzheimer’s in full exposure, but very evident.

Chris and his father Craig meet with a friend, Spencer, in Bulman on their first visit back in 35 years. (credit: National Geographic/Craig Parry)

Chris and his father Craig take part in a blessing with Spencer. The welcome is a spiritual ceremony. The significance is to let the spirits know that Chris and Craig are back. (credit: National Geographic/Craig Parry)

Chris and his father Craig at a blessing in Bulman. (credit: National Geographic/Craig Parry)

Capturing this in video was the work of Jim Joliffe, director of photography.

Jim Jolliffe (courtesy of Jim Jolliffe)

There is a very gentle cinematic approach utilizing many tools in his kit.
You will see the father/son ride on the dusty trails of Australia, shot with a Russian Arm, not on a camera car, but basically a remote head on the back of a pick-up!
No time to get complicated.

In this intimate film, Chris goes on a road trip with his dad, who’s recently had an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, hoping to rekindle forgotten memories. (credit: National Geographic/Craig Parry)

When they walked around the recreated home, an Easy Rig was the perfect call.

Jim Jolliffe films during production of “Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember” in Australia. (credit: National Geographic/Craig Parry)

Shot with 2 Sony Venice cams, complimented by Zeiss super speed primes and Ironglass lenses, the only real lighting ever used were a few fluorescents.
Mostly natural lit.
There were 2 operators on the crew.

The artistry of Jim was shown in his ability to capture that honesty, without being intrusive.

His work has taken him all around the world, from shooting with the eagle hunters of the Altai mountains in Mongolia, to living with a Masai Mara tribe in northern Tanzania, to learning arctic survival skills from the Sami tribes’ people of northern Lapland.
IN addition, he was DP on the final episode of Limitless another Chris Hemsworth series.
No doubt that experience working together helped in the trust that allowed Jim to capture moments, reserved for the closest people.

This is a portrait of a man seeing his father slowly going into decline and trying to find a way to not only stop time, but to relive parts of his life while he was still able.

It’s a story of a family trying what they can to keep their loved one present.

Chris Hemsworth knows that Alzheimer’s is hereditary and no doubt embracing an effort not only to slow down the process with his father, but to perhaps understand his own future.

If there is one publication that has been part of my life forever, it’s National Geographic.
Long known for quality and impact of it’s images showing the world around us, this is the pinnacle of the photographic world.
When a photographer can add the credit ” National Geographic Photographer” to their bio, it is a badge of honor like no other.

This year, National Geographic is also celebrating PICTURES OF THE YEAR across social media by inviting global audiences to share their own photos and videos of the year using the hashtag #NatGeoYourShotPOY25 from now through the end of December, with a chance to be featured on @NatGeoYourShot. Nat Geo photo editor Anne Farrar will select her favorites by Dec. 31 to be shared across Nat Geo’s social accounts.

They have just released their selection of:

25 UNFORGETTABLE IMAGES THAT CAPTURE A PLANET IN FLUX — FROM WILDLIFE AND WONDER TO HUMAN DISCOVERY

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nov. 18, 2025) – Today, National Geographic unveiled PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2025, highlighting the images that most inspired and defined the past year through the eyes of its photographers and editors.

This year’s collection showcases 25 extraordinary images that span the breadth of National Geographic’s storytelling, from intimate wildlife portraits and sweeping composites of changing landscapes to groundbreaking scientific discoveries and compelling human narratives. The photographs capture nature’s most remarkable moments, cutting-edge exploration, and the diverse experiences of people around the world.

The standout images include the first underwater photograph of a great white shark in Maine,

Photographer Brian Skerry has been chronicling marine life for decades, but this image represents his first run-in with a great white shark in the Gulf of Maine, a place he did not expect to encounter one—especially from four feet away. Sightings of sharks like this 10-footer are increasing from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia, perhaps due in part to changing climate patterns. (Photo by Brian Skerry)

the largest religious gathering in the world, the last Indigenous people of Europe;

In the misty highlands of Angola, entry to one of southern Africa’s least studied ecosystems is controlled by King Mwene Chivueka VI, leader of the Luchazi people. For generations, his community has venerated an elusive herd of elephants native to the area—which outside scientists have only recently begun tracking, with the king’s permission. (Photo by Jasper Doest)

the planet’s largest land migration documented by drone, a female polar bear feasting atop a sperm whale in Svalbard,

the new benchmark record set for a nuclear tokamak reactor,

With an eye toward solving the global energy crisis, scientists are developing powerful nuclear fusion devices called stellarators. This model was created at a German lab where international researchers built a much larger one that generated an astonishing 54 million-degree-Fahrenheit reaction. For a record-breaking 43 seconds, it was the hottest entity in the entire solar system—including the sun’s center. (Photo by Paolo Verzone)

and the precise moment an egg transforms into a chick.

For years, photographer Anand Varma has attempted to document when an egg yolk can still be seen but a bird form has clearly emerged. He experimented by incubating embryos in artificial shells before finally capturing the transformation at 12 days old. Varma separately raised some embryos to chicks, which he donated to people in the community. (Photo by Anand Varma)

A sunflower chimney bee rests on a pillow of velvety ochers in the early evening, likely already snoozing after a long day’s work pollinating plants. This species of bee often nests at the base of sunflowers, moving with commercial farmers as they rotate their crops. (Photo by Karine Aigner)

While each image was selected from hundreds of thousands of images captured in the field this year, the final PICTURES OF THE YEAR collection of the top 25 photos paints a sweeping portrait of a changing world as seen through the lens of Nat Geo’s global network of photographers across more than 20 countries.

“PICTURES OF THE YEAR is a project that is always inspiring and thought-provoking,” said Nathan Lump, editor-in-chief of National Geographic. “Each year, our photographers and editors sift through thousands of images, searching for those rare moments that stop us in our tracks. Individually, these photographs speak to beauty, fragility, and wonder. Taken together, I see a collective sense of urgency — a call to preserve what’s in danger of being lost, as well as a reminder of the poetic beauty to be found in carrying on, in daring to dream of a better future.”

The full selection of National Geographic’s PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2025 is available now at natgeo.com/photos and in the December 2025 issue of National Geographic.

This year’s retrospective also includes behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including the unique process behind photographer Stephen Wilkes’ day-to-night images. Looking forward to that!

One of the most dangerous and important jobs in the world is that of the conflict photojournalist.
Sometimes known as a war correspondent, always a witness to the horrors and human toll of war.

There are few that manage to balance a life outside of those assignments.
Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist and MacArthur Fellow Lynsey Addario has met that challenge.

This new biopic from Nat Geo and Disney + captures her life photographing the wars on the ground, and her life at home with her husband and 2 young boys. It premieres on 11/6 on Nat Geo, and 11/7 on Disney+ and Hulu.

Along with her current life situation, they present a brilliant, insightful documentary on her life growing up, and perhaps how she became the photographer she is.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, Addario has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Darfur, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Syria, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Apropos to this doc is also her concern and coverage of women’s issues globally.

Lynsey Addario on assignment in Iridimi Refugee Camp, Wadi Fira, Chad. (National Geographic/Caitlin Kelly)

With interviews with her sisters, husband, and interactions with her boys, you get the fuller picture of her life.

One of the most telling moments is when she is packing for her next conflict assignment, and one of her sons is with her.
She tosses a flat object to pack, and as her son asks what it is, she just says it’s a plate for her vest.
Now, we all know it’s a bullet proof vest plate for protection, just no need to explain all to her child.

Lynsey Addario at home with her son Alfred before leaving on assignment. (National Geographic/Caitlin Kelly)

The concerns of the lifestyle is also revealed through interviews with her husband, a former photo editor, in their London home.

Lynsey Addario and her husband Paul de Bendern take a video call with Lynsey’s mother. (Credit: National Geographic/Thorsten Thielow)

It’s a push pull, and I think any journalist worth their salt understand the draw of a new assignment. Still hard to leave the family behind.

“My head is always where I’m not”

Lynsey Addario finds shelter from a nearby shelling during an assignment in Ukraine. (Credit: National Geographic/Andriy Dubchak)

It is up to you the viewer, to ponder the right balance. No judging, with an exploration of the realities.

Another behind the scenes is knowing what it takes to be out in the scrum, and physically fit.
Workouts with a trainer are part of her regular regimen. The physicality of humping and jumping in the middle of war as a witness is no place to be out of shape.

Her cameras of choice are Nikons Z series, and a Leica Q2 or Q3.
She is a Nikon ambassador, and her work shows off the tools.
In addition, what a lot of people forget about, is the need for editing and post.
Of course the software she uses to edit and cull is Photo Mechanic.

The footage of her in the field was captured by Andriy Dubchak, and the intimate scenes at home were made by a one person crew Thor Thielow and he’s a one-man band. To get this real life behind the scenes footage, and revealing interviews required the skills of a filmmaker who can bring a trust to the subjects. Plus a tiny footprint.

Did I mention that there are historically few women on this field?
That particular fact makes this doc a marker in the world of journalism.

Lynsey Addario photographs a damaged building in Ukraine. (Credit: National Geographic/Andriy Dubchak)

Yes, I did watch the movie Lee again before speaking with Lynsey. That was the story of Lee Miller, portrayed by Kate Winslett. She was a model, then photographer, then war photographer during WWII. Another time, another situation, another insight.

What I think you will come away with after watching this doc Love + War is a true portrait of dedicated photo journalist, and proud mother and wife.

Her brilliant photographs are witness to the events, and hopefully change minds.
She goes where few dare to tred.

She feels her job is to keep people paying attention. Achieved.

Directed and Produced By Academy award winning Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin, it will be streaming on Nat Geo, Disney+ and Hulu

And pick up her memoir Of Love & War.

Are you a citizen journalist, or a filmmaker that needs a compact shooting solution with high end video capture?
The mobile world of content creation has created a new batch of tools you should consider. Now that the new iPhone 17 Pro is in my hands, it was time to level up the video.

It took 3 years of waiting to get the USB-C port on a phone for me, so let’s get into it. And yes, I purchased all of these items below.

Since you can now shoot ProRes Raw with the phone, there is only one way you can do that directly on the phone: use an external media drive with the speed and the capacity to hold large files.
After doing some deep dive research, the solution became clear on the basic tools needed.
A company that made a dummy battery I had purchased, came out with sweet recording module.
Kondor Blue, a California company, has a perfect solution, in a compact space.
The Recording Module is made for SD or CFExpressB cards
It is magsafe, comes with high end USB-C connecting cable, and has other options as you build a rig.

The 1st set-up I want to share is this:

iPhone 17Pro, the mag safe recording module, and a DJI Mic 2.
Yes, the DJI Mic 2 connects to your phone via Bluetooth.
And the reason I’m going Bluetooth in this scenario, is because the solitary USB-C port on the phone is being used by the recording module.

Also, make sure you download the BlackMagic app for iPhone. That is a best case app for this set-up. In its settings you have an incredible number of usable settings to customize your content capture.

All you need to do is set where the files will be saved, and I save it to the CF Express card. Make sure you have seen the media card recognized in the iPhone Files app.
And I use the CF Express because I have some that I use in my Fuji Cameras, and they have super powerful read and write capabilities.
Personally, I use Delkin Black media cards.

Ok, that is an easy to carry, small footprint, ProRes raw set-up.

Then we can up the capabilities by adding the Kondor Blue Stalman Clamp. Shown here with the Recording Module attached and plugged into the phone. The magsafe doesn’t go through the clamp, but you can screw in the module to the clamp.

Then the included USB-C connector on the base connects to the phone, while allowing the recording module to connect to the phone.

This phone accessory is a must get for a variety of reasons.

There are ¼-20 threads to add accessories and designed with locking pins in mind to make sure that what you add doesn’t spin around and stays where you want it to.
It has an Arca-Swiss base that allows you to quickly move to a tripod if you like, plus it can stand on its own, as you can see above.

Below you can see a magnetic piece that slides perfectly into the clamp’s base, and has an additional 1/4-20 with anti-twist pins. Also helps to keep the USB-C connector in place.

For my rig, I’m adding a cold shoe on top of the clamp with locking pins, for either a light or a microphone. I’m partial to the Shift Cam mini, or the Rode NTB shotgun.
Lighting is choose your own adventure and preference.

Then comes the best addition I have ever found:
The Kondor Blue USB-C Media Hub.

This companion piece is the perfect addition to your minimal rig.
With a USB-C port that connects to your phone, so it’s powered and allows you to attach the things you need to complete, which is to my mind, a sweet video rig in your daily camera bag.

You see the 40GPS on the right angled USB-C connector? This tells you that you can record at the proper speed to your media. Need the fast connector. This is an L-Bracket USB-C extension so it fits on the Stalman Clamp allowing your phone to connect to the hub easily.
When the light is blue, you are connected.
Best to use a right-angled USB-C cable as it fits perfectly and protected into one end, and then a straight end for the phone.

Here’s what you can also do: connect the recording module to one end of the hub with the locking pin ¼-20 (ok, I am using a simple screw deal)

This hub has ports for external power since you will need to keep the juice up.
There is also a port for your USB-C microphone, as you now have the USB-C port on the phone taken up.
If you want to use, there is a full-size HDMI port in case you want to shoot and have a monitor connected. Not sure I’ll use that port much.
BTW, the audio and media ports can be used interchangeably.

It has a cold shoe on the front where you can add something like a Rode Wireless Go receiver, or whatever else you may need. On top is another 1/4-20 with anti twist pin sockets.

The build of these 3 pieces is impeccable, and solid.

Worth the dough.

The only downside to the gear is that the USB-C has a robust end where the male plug is, to the point where I had to trim my phone case to make room by the internal phone speakers.

This became an issue mainly on the smallest set-up shared in the start of this post.
Also wish they had supplied a USB-C cable with the hub.
I used the one from the recording module and had other male to male cables.

They do have a full rig they sell with all you need plus a handle, battery V-Mount, quick release bits to disassemble or switch out fast.  This, without the wireless transmitter on top, sells for about  $650.

By going with my ala carte set up, it came out to be about $260, and I can use pieces from other rigs. Not the most ideal but it works.

Some options you can look also look at:
A Beastgrip Pro is a great cage for the phone, and you can add on your cold shoes.
An alt way to mounting an external SSD as a recording module is a Ulanzi MG10 which is just a mag safe holder with a ¼-20 and a cold shoe. This was the only unit I could find that held a SanDisk SSD tight.

At the end of the day, the design and compact footprint of the Kondor Blue gear, what is shown above will take care of your video needs.

Well built, designed to stay small & modular, and field tested. And all of the modular bits are made to work together!

This week since NAB is in town, I’ll be checking out another mobile solution and report back. It’s footprint is much larger, yet could be another solution for you.