*** February 2026 Image & Video Thread ***

[DMhalamaha]

Hohenzollern Castle – The Cradle of Kings
High above the Swabian Alps, near Hechingen, rises Hohenzollern Castle — the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern. From here began the story of a family that would later give Europe kings and emperors. The descendants of the Hohenzollerns became rulers of Prussia and played a key role in the creation of the German Empire. The most famous among them was Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor (Kaiser). The first mention of the castle dates back to the 11th century. It survived destruction, wars, and several reconstructions. Its current romantic appearance was shaped in the 19th century as a symbol of dynastic power and heritage.

Lens: Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm- f/16 ISO 100
Camera used: Panasonic S1

 

[xaviergut]

Hohenzollern Castle – The Cradle of Kings
High above the Swabian Alps, near Hechingen, rises Hohenzollern Castle — the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern. From here began the story of a family that would later give Europe kings and emperors. The descendants of the Hohenzollerns became rulers of Prussia and played a key role in the creation of the German Empire. The most famous among them was Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor (Kaiser). The first mention of the castle dates back to the 11th century. It survived destruction, wars, and several reconstructions. Its current romantic appearance was shaped in the 19th century as a symbol of dynastic power and heritage.

Lens: Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm- f/16 ISO 100
Camera used: Panasonic S1
View attachment 16843

That photo is beautiful. I really like the editing, the tones, and the lighting. It has a very appealing air of mystery. I won't say cinematic... although that might be the right word.

 

[sergun80]

S9 Meike 55/1.8 pro

 

[Vale46]

S1RII + Sirui Aurora 85mm 1.4

• Panasonic DC-S1RM2
• ƒ/1.4
• 85mm
• 1/1300s
• ISO 80

 

[DMhalamaha]

That photo is beautiful. I really like the editing, the tones, and the lighting. It has a very appealing air of mystery. I won't say cinematic... although that might be the right word.

Thank you very much for your kind feedback — it really means a lot to me. I actually agree with you. To be honest, I’m both satisfied and not fully satisfied with this image. It feels like something is still missing, and maybe something in it is unnecessary. I’m still learning, and color grading is honestly one of the most difficult parts for me at the moment. My goal is to learn how to translate the idea I have in my mind into the final image. Unfortunately this is not easy yet, even with Lightroom and Photoshop, so I spend a lot of time studying the work of photographers whose images inspire me.

 

[xaviergut]

Thank you very much for your kind feedback — it really means a lot to me. I actually agree with you. To be honest, I’m both satisfied and not fully satisfied with this image. It feels like something is still missing, and maybe something in it is unnecessary. I’m still learning, and color grading is honestly one of the most difficult parts for me at the moment. My goal is to learn how to translate the idea I have in my mind into the final image. Unfortunately this is not easy yet, even with Lightroom and Photoshop, so I spend a lot of time studying the work of photographers whose images inspire me.

I think the color grading is perfect...

Have you tried the 16:9 aspect ratio?

 

[DMhalamaha]

I think the color grading is perfect...

Have you tried the 16:9 aspect ratio?

Thank you, that’s a really good idea. I’ll try the 16:9 crop. This is exactly why discussions like this are so valuable. Sharing photos is not only about showing our work, but also about learning from each other. Sometimes a small suggestion helps you see something you missed before.

 

[PJD]

I now it's not easy but if you could take some of these with and without the OLPF filter it would so useful.

Next time it stops raining here -- in about a week -- I plan to snap a few scenes without & with the Kolari OLPF, with my camera locked on my tripod. I especially want to see if the filter reduces aliasing typically visible on _backlit_ ripples on a body of water.

Meanwhile, I shot a simple indoor test today demonstrating moire visible on a laptop screen when the OLPF was _not_ installed, and then the moire mostly eliminated after installing the OLPF. YMMV depending on the subject/target, etc. Cheers.

Note: I purposely didn't dust-off the laptop so you can see the very slight image softening produced by the OLPF.

View at 100%. Kolari OLPF not installed. Moire visible inside the red rectangle:

• Panasonic DC-S5M2X
• LUMIX S 50/F1.8
• ƒ/10
• 50mm
• 1/15s
• ISO 3200

View at 100%. Kolari OLPF installed. Moire inside the red rectangle eliminated:

• Panasonic DC-S5M2X
• LUMIX S 50/F1.8
• ƒ/10
• 50mm
• 1/15s
• ISO 3200

 

[CharlesH]

Meanwhile, I shot a simple indoor test today demonstrating moire ...

Thanks, good test! And I have the Kolari filter ordered but they were out of stock. I don't know how long for them make another batch.

 

[CMS]

At the end of February, I went out with my S9 to shoot some night street photography. All shots were taken with the Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4.

bike by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

walking by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

walking by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

woman by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

lady in red by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

bike by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

boat by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

skater by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

synchron by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

lantern by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

shoes by C. Schmidt, auf Flickr

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

With Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN

Archway by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

 

[DMhalamaha]

These photos was taken back in February, but I only just found the time to process it. This spot is located up on a hill, overlooking a small private airfield hidden behind the trees, where gliders are parked. Shot on Panasonic S1 with a Panasonic Lumix 100–500mm lens at f/16.

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN

The hotel by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr