James Abbott

James Abbott

James Abbott is a professional photographer and freelance photography journalist. He contributes articles about photography, cameras and drones to a wide range of magazines and websites where he applies a wealth of experience to testing the latest photographic tech. James is also the author of ‘The Digital Darkroom: The Definitive Guide to Photo Editing’.

Articles by: James Abbott

A laptop screen showing a before and after photo restoration in Photoshop

How to restore your old photos for free or with Photoshop

By James Abbott published

Looking to restore your old photos for free or with Photoshop? We've picked out the three best techniques to help you do just that.

A DJI drone in the air connected to the Insta360 Sphere 360 camera

I took my DJI drone videos to new heights with this unique 360 camera

By James Abbott published

With the Insta360 Sphere, the creative video possibilities endless if you're prepared to put in the hard

A hard drive and laptop screen showing the Lightroom and Google Photos logos

How to build the ultimate photo backup for Adobe Lightroom or Google Photos

By James Abbott last updated

Tech resolutions Looking to create photo backup for Adobe Lightroom or Google Photos? Our in-depth guide is for you.

Panasonic Lumix FZ80 / FZ82 review

By James Abbott last updated

The Lumix FZ80 / FZ82 is a budget superzoom bridge compact with a 60x optical zoom that culminates in a dizzying 1200mm setting.

DJI FPV

DJI FPV drone review

By James Abbott, Mark Wilson last updated

The DJI FPV is a unique, first-person view drone for beginners. But despite being fun, it doesn't quite rise above its quirks and limitations.

Leica Q2 Monochrom

Leica Q2 Monochrom review

By James Abbott last updated

A full-frame compact that only shoots in black and white might sound like folly, but the Leica Q2 Monochrom has won us over.

A side on shot of the DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro drone and the Autel EVO Nano+ drone on a concrete surface

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs Autel Evo Nano+: which is the best compact drone?

By James Abbott published

The DJI Mini 3 Pro and Autel Evo Nano+ are the two best compact drones you can buy. Which one should you buy?

An aerial view of mountain peaks and someone standing on a viewing platform

Sky art: the best drone photos of 2022 so far

By James Abbott published

Find inspiration in some of the most impressive aerial photos uploaded to the SkyPixel Awards.

The DJI Mini 2 drone in flight on a blue background

Should you buy DJI Care Refresh for your drone?

By James Abbott published

DJI’s after sales service plan can offer a cheap and easy form of drone insurance, but it’s not for everyone.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro drone in flight in a forest

I've spent hours flying the DJI Mini 3 Pro – here's why it'll replace my Mavic 2 Pro

By James Abbott last updated

I've always felt the DJI Mini series was too big a step down from its more premium drones, but the Mini 3 Pro changes that.

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone in flight

How to improve your drone photography

By James Abbott last updated

Elevate your drone photography to a professional heights with these eight essential tips.

Nikon D3500

Got a new camera? Here are 5 quick ways to take great photos with your kit lens

By Phil Hall, James Abbott, Chris Rowlands last updated

Updated Got a new camera and not sure where to start? These top tips will help you get great shots right out of the box.

The Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II lens on a wooden table

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II review

By James Abbott published

Recommended

Sony’s flagship medium zoom lens offers an enticing upgrade on its predecessor, though it comes with a pro-level price tag.

Adobe's Super Resolution mode in Lightroom

Which cameras work best with Adobe's Super Resolution mode?

By James Abbott published

Super Resolution in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom lets you double the resolution of your raw files, TIFFs and JPEGs. Here's how it works.

The DJI Mavic 3 drone sitting on a green surface

DJI Mavic 3 review

By James Abbott published

The DJI Mavic 3 is the most powerful folding drone we've seen, but it's also expensive and missing a few features at launch.

The Leica M11 camera resting on a wooden bench

Leica M11 review

By James Abbott published

Leica’s latest M-series camera takes a technological leap while maintaining its traditional fundamentals. But it's now an even more niche camera than ever.

The Leica M11 in a leather case resting on a table

Are Leica cameras worth their price tags?

By James Abbott published

Analysis The new Leica M11 has stirred an age-old debate. Are Leica cameras overpriced luxury indulgences, or priceless workhorses?

DJI Mini 2

Got a new DJI drone? Here's how to set it up to take great photos and video

By James Abbott published

Woken up to find a DJI drone has kindly flown into your Christmas stocking? Here's how to set it up and get shooting.

Festive photography: 7 great Christmas photo ideas to try with your new camera

By Phil Hall, James Abbott, Mark Wilson published

Stuck for photo inspiration this festive period? It's time to spice things up with these great Christmas-themed photo ideas.

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM review

By James Abbott last updated

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is a super-premium prime lens for Alpha fans. But how it live up to its billing?

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Why I might not buy the DJI Mavic 3 (despite selling my DJI Mavic 2 Pro)

By James Abbott published

Opinion The DJI Mavic 3 is strongly rumored to launch soon, but here's why I'm undecided about upgrading – despite recently selling my DJI Mavic 2 Pro.

The image size box in Photoshop showing an image of some hills

How to resize images in Photoshop

By James Abbott published

Increase and decrease the dimensions of your photos while maintaining optimal quality

A man flying a DJI drone in a field

How to fly your DJI drone: 7 steps to becoming a confident drone pilot

By James Abbott published

Follow these steps to get your DJI drone safely into the air and ready to shoot dynamic aerial stills and video.

A hand using a cloth to clean a camera lens

How to clean your camera lens

By James Abbott published

Noticed a some unusual spots in your photos? You probably need to clean your camera lens – these are the best ways to do it safely.

Close-up of DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone camera and gimbal

Should I buy a DJI drone in 2021?

By James Abbott last updated

It's been a tumultuous year for DJI, so is the world's biggest drone maker still the best in its flying camera field?

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