Professional Photographer – July 2026

Summary

A 1950s photo of two boys at a Golden print competition opens Professional Photographer's July 2026 issue, which pairs an IPC report with a 28-page guide on lighting and a cover feature on still life.

Professional Photographer July 2026 opens with news led by a historic 1950s archive photo of two boys taken at a Golden print competition, followed by editor Lorna V's comment on why she will miss the APC. The issue's professional section reports that the IPC is now helping photographers take control of image rights, and a 28-page sponsored guide by Jason Hull covers lighting technique in depth. The cover feature turns to still life photography, while a careers piece explains how a photographer moved from medicine into imaging. Later features look at location work and how pros are using new tools in their workflow.

Regular columns carry the practical load for working photographers. Jon Bentley's As Shot column calls time on chasing shallow depth of field, arguing the look has become an overused crutch. A buyers' guide gathers lighting gear, and the issue also covers news of a used-gear specialist and a new print product. Later pages include a look at how photographers are working with new software, plus the closing back-page column that reflects on photography and memory.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Features

p.14 · STILL LIFE: Cover feature
The cover feature covers still life photography, showing how objects are lit and composed for commercial results. It focuses on controlled tabletop setups for clients. Set up one still life with a single light today.

p.20 · FROM MEDICINE TO IMAGING
A careers feature explains how a photographer moved from medicine into professional imaging, covering the switch in training and daily work. The piece tracks the transition into a imaging career. Map one transferable skill from your old job to photography.

p.24 · LOCATION WORK
A feature covers location photography, showing how shoots are planned and executed away from the studio. It looks at working on site with available conditions. Scout one location this week before your next shoot.

▸ Professional / Rights

p.10 · IPC: TAKING CONTROL OF IMAGE RIGHTS
The professional section reports that the IPC is helping photographers take control of image rights, outlining what the body is doing on licensing and usage. The report covers practical rights support for pros. Check one contract clause on image rights this week.

▸ Guides

p.31 · LIGHTING GUIDE (28-page sponsored guide)
Jason Hull's 28-page sponsored guide covers lighting technique, walking through setups and modifiers for working photographers. The guide is sponsored and runs deep on practical lighting. Build one lighting setup from this guide at your next shoot.

▸ Regulars

p.18 · COMMENT: As Shot
Jon Bentley's column calls time on chasing shallow depth of field, arguing the blurred-background look has become an overused crutch in modern work. Shoot one frame at f/8 this week for context.

p.61 · BUYERS' GUIDE: Lighting gear
A buyers' guide rounds up lighting gear with pricing and supplier details so readers can compare before buying. Compare one lighting kit's price before your next purchase.

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Editor's Take

The 28-page Jason Hull lighting guide is the single strongest asset in this July 2026 issue and will stay useful long after the news pages date. The IPC image-rights report and the medicine-to-imaging career piece give it substance beyond gear, and Bentley's anti-shallow-depth-of-field column is a welcome contrary voice. The weakest part is the cover: the still life feature is competent but unmemorable, and the 1950s archive photo, while charming, is used as nostalgic filler. Several pages lean on sponsored and buyers' guide material, and original reporting is thinner than in the September issue. Best for UK pros who want a lighting reference and rights guidance; casual readers will find the back half padded.

Strengths
• 28-page Jason Hull lighting guide with real setups
• IPC report on photographers taking control of image rights
• Jon Bentley argues against shallow depth of field
• Medicine-to-imaging career piece is genuinely different

Weaknesses
• Cover still life feature is competent but forgettable
• Sponsored and buyers' guide pages pad the back half

Verdict: Recommended — The 28-page lighting guide and IPC rights report carry an otherwise mixed issue.