DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS FROM ePHOTOzine

 

Tip 1: Reach For A Long Lens You'll need a telephoto zoom (300-400mm) for capturing frame-filling shots and a tripod is essential. If you have one, fasten on your ball-head but it's not essential. 

 

Tip 2: Know Where All Your Buttons & Functions Are 

Know your equipment well before heading outside as you don't want to be searching for buttons and messing around with settings when you only have seconds to take a shot.
 

Tip 3: Get Closer To Your Subject 

You will need to be quite close to the birds even if you are using a lens with plenty of reach as they are really tiny things and can be easily lost in your background.
 

Tip 4: Keep Hidden When Possible 

Make sure you hide out of sight in either a purpose-built hide or try shooting from your house or from an outbuilding such as a shed.
 

Tip 5: Feed The Birds 

Make sure you have feeders out, particularly at this time of year when food's a little scarce. This will encourage birds to regularly visit your garden for food. 
 

 

Tip 6: Think About Feeder Position 

Place feeders in areas where branches or even ready-made perches you want them to land on are positioned. That way they'll, hopefully, land on the branch in front of your chosen background before going for the food.

  Tip 7: Change Your Props 

Change the style of perch you're using to bring a bit of variety to your shots after a while.
 

Tip 8: Think About Backgrounds 

Hedges make great natural looking backgrounds but don't let the scenery overshadow your subject. For those with fences and walls rather than hedgerows try collecting a few sheets of material that can help disguise it. 
 

Tip 9: Focus Is Key 

Pay attention to the tips of tail feathers as these can become out of focus.
 

Tip 10: Be Patient 

Don't be too eager to hit the shutter button the second a bird lands as they're nervous creatures and it may take them a while to become comfortable with their surroundings.

 

 

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Winter is another perfect season for outdoor photography as, even though it's cold, clear overnight skies bring early morning frost and when you combine it with beautiful landscapes, something magical can appear. To ensure you succeed in your frost photography quest, we've put together 5 quick but essential frost photography tips.  

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1. Lenses For Frost Photography 

With a cool, clear night comes morning frost and it's a subject that works well for both close-up work and wider landscape shots. For your close-ups of the patterns, frost creates you'll need a macro lens or a 70-200mm zoom lens with extension rings will work just as well if you don't own a macro lens.

 

2. Early Starts 

Frosts are typically better early in the day, often before the sun hits the frost and starts to thaw it; which means a prompt start, but one of the benefits of the winter months, is that at least sunrise is at a more sociable time than in the summer! Head for areas of open space and rolling landscapes, rather than woodland, where the shelter of the trees can prevent frost.

On a really cold day, when even the sun isn't going to thaw the frost too quickly, a touch of sunlight helps to emphasise the sparkle of frost, and especially try shooting into the light to accentuate the glint of the sun on the frost still further, but remember to use a lens hood to minimise the chance of flare on your pictures.

 

3. Bounce Some Light 

Take a reflector out with you (a piece of card covered in foil will do fine) as they're useful for bouncing light into shaded spots and remember to slip a few spare batteries into your pockets if you're planning on venturing out for a while. It's also worth remembering to wrap up warm as you'll soon feel the cold when you're stood waiting for those long exposure times to complete.

 

 

4. Don't Let Frost Fool Your Camera 

Like snow, frost, particularly when it's a thick covering, can fool your camera's meter to think the scene's much lighter than it actually is and it will underexpose the shot. If this happens, use exposure compensation and shoot half to one and a half stops over what your camera thinks is correct. You should always check your histogram, too, to ensure the exposure's correct.

 

5. Frost Photography At Home

If you don't want to venture too far, have a look for frost on your windows as the patterns it produces are great for macro work. Out in the garden, icy blades of grass are worth capturing early in the morning and look for fallen leaves that are covered with frost while you're out there too. Use a small aperture to make sure more of your image is sharp but if you're working with a leaf that's still on a tree, try using a wider aperture to throw the background out of focus, isolating the leaf in the process. While you're looking at branches look for frost covered berries as the reds contrast well with the white coloured frost.

 

You've read the technique now share your related photos for the chance to win prizes: Photo Month Forum Competition  

 

MPB has announced its yearly results, showing strong performance and reaching profitability for the first time. As a leading platform for photographers and creators to buy, sell and trade used photo and video gear, the company continues to grow across international markets. With more customers, expanding margins, and steady investment in technology, MPB is building momentum as demand for second-hand equipment rises worldwide, while also supporting more sustainable choices for creators.

 

From MPB:

MPB Group (“MPB” or the “Group”), the leading global platform for photographers, content creators and visual storytellers to buy, sell and trade used kit, announces its results for the financial year ended 31 March 2025.

 

• Group Net Revenue increased 19%, with international markets up 28%  
• Margin expansion across all geographies, reflecting strong execution and balanced investment 
• Strong platform for growth, with Gross Merchandise Value to increase more than 50% by FY27 
• Growth has accelerated further in FY26, with Group Net Revenue up 27% in the first half

 

Matt Barker, Founder and CEO of MPB, said: “MPB continues to deliver strong growth, extending a track record of consistent execution that spans more than a decade. Our performance reflects the success of our international expansion, high levels of customer loyalty and the strength of our market-leading platform. Reaching profitability in FY25 marked an important milestone, as we continue to expand margins across geographies and further strengthen the foundations for growth.

“Momentum has accelerated in the current financial year, with net revenue up 27% in the six months to September 2025. Demand for high-quality, second-hand equipment continues to grow, supported by the rise of digital content creation and increasing global adoption of circular models. With an expanding international footprint and the benefit of sustained investment in our platform, data and AI capabilities, MPB is well positioned to deliver significant, profitable growth. 

“I would like to thank my colleagues for their hard work and commitment. Our people remain central to our success as we scale the business and shape the future of this market.” 

 

Market-leading platform delivering strong growth

The Group - spanning the US, Europe and UK - delivered a strong performance in FY25 across all key metrics, reflecting the attractions of its market leading platform, disciplined investment in its data and technology capabilities and accelerating international growth, including market share gains in the US and the successful opening of additional local-language platforms in Europe.  

Net Merchandise Value grew 17% and Net Revenue was up 19%, while margin expansion across all geographies ensured Gross Profit grew 24% to £45.3m (2024: £36.4m). MPB recorded an EBITDA of £0.8 million for the year (2024: £2.9 million loss), establishing a strong platform for continued and significant profitable growth.

 

Consolidated Marketplace financial highlights:

table { width: 500px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; } th, td { border: 1px solid #000; /* ensures all cells have borders */ padding: 8px; } th { background-color: #f2f2f2; }   FY25 FY24 Change Gross Merchandise Value £224.8m £191.7m +17% Net Merchandise Value £200.3m £170.6m +17% Net Revenue £63.6m £53.3m +19% Gross Profit £45.3m £36.4m +24% Gross Profit as % of Net Revenue 71.2% 68.3% +290bps EBITDA £0.8m £(2.9)m -

 

International expansion the engine driving MPB’s growth

International Net Revenue grew 28%, with international markets now accounting for over 75% of Group revenue, reflecting the success of MPB’s overseas expansion strategy.

MPB’s US business continued its strong performance, taking further market share, with Net Revenue up 26% to £26.6m and Gross Profit increasing 36% to £17.9m. The US accounted for 42% of Group Net Revenue at the end of March 2025, having expanded its Circular Commerce Centre in Brooklyn to provide capacity to support growth for the next five years. 

European Net Revenue increased 31% year-on-year, following the ambitious roll-out of four additional local market platforms. MPB now serves customers via local language platforms in Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Ireland and Italy. Gross Profit increased 36% to £15.5m.

 

Customer base doubles in three years, with strong satisfaction and loyalty

MPB hit the milestone of one million unique customers globally in FY25, doubling its unique customer count over three years. 384,000 people transacted with the Group during the period.

MPB recirculated more than 564,000 items of used kit in the year, extending the life and creative potential of photo and video equipment for creators. This approach reduces the need for new production and supports more sustainable consumption, while delivering affordability and choice for customers.  

Customer satisfaction remains central to MPB’s success and customer feedback continues to demonstrate high satisfaction across all markets. This is reflected in MPB’s Global NPS remaining at 74, an excellent score for a consumer business.  

 

Continued technology investment to cement market leading position

MPB is continuing to invest in its proprietary recommerce technology, data and AI capabilities, driving accelerated revenue growth and margin expansion. The Group has a strong financial position from which to continue to invest, supported by an expansion of HSBC’s credit facilities during the year. 

Group headcount increased from 455 to nearly 500 during FY25 as the Group has continued to invest in the wealth of people-talent surrounding its headquarters in Brighton - where MPB is one of the largest employers in the area - Berlin and Brooklyn. 

 

Successfully capturing a global growth opportunity, with GMV to exceed £300m by FY27

Demand for high-quality second-hand equipment continues to grow, with customers looking for affordability and choice. The ongoing rise of content creation is adding further momentum, reinforced by global support for circular business models. Against this backdrop, MPB is well placed to deliver significant, profitable growth, offering a seamless, high quality experience for its customers.

Looking ahead, the Group will expand into new markets, deepen customer engagement and scale efficiently. MPB is introducing new customer loyalty tools, enhancing personalisation and evolving its data-driven pricing model, while continuing to strengthen its presence in the US and attractive European markets. An engaged international workforce is central to MPB’s success and the Group is investing in its people, with a particular focus on AI and digital transformation. 

MPB remains highly confident in its strategy and its ability to capture the opportunities ahead. Gross Merchandise Value is on track comfortably to exceed £300m by FY27, illustrating the Group’s growth potential.  

For more information, please visit the MPB website.