The Nikon Tour 2026 will be traveling across the United States in a custom-branded bright yellow Land Cruiser SUV, serving as a mobile hub for hands-on activations and creator engagement.

This nationwide event offers attendees the opportunity to try Nikon cameras and lenses, learn new photography and filmmaking techniques through free workshops and photo walks, and connect with other photographers. The tour will be stopping in Dallas, Texas, from September 25-27, 2026.

On May 4, 2026, Nikon provided details about the tour via the following press release.

Today, Nikon announced the evolution of the Nikon Tour, unveiling a new slate of stops and enhanced programming for creators of all skill levels as part of the brand’s continued commitment to bringing creatives together through in-person experiences and community-driven learning opportunities.

As part of the expansion, the Nikon Tour will double its number of stops in 2026, reaching 10 cities across the U.S. to connect with a wider audience through the end of the year.

Building on the success of its inaugural run, this year’s Nikon Tour will introduce dedicated programming days – “Intro to Photography,” “Z Day” and “NIKKOR Z Lens Day” – tailored specifically for beginners, professional photographers and cinema creators, along with a new video-focused day centered on the Nikon ZR. The tour is a completely free experience for all attendees, who can expect to leave with the content they create, and will feature a dynamic mix of hands-on photography and videography experiences, as well as educational sessions and interactive workshops designed to help attendees grow their skills.

Attendees will also have opportunities to meet and connect with Nikon Ambassadors and Creators, with select stops featuring appearances from Nikon Ambassadors like D’Ann Boal and Kristi Odom, along with Creators such as Joyce Charat, Staci Brucks, and Kirill Umrikhin. Additional ambassadors, creators, and special guests will join to lead photo walks and immersive on-site experiences in different cities along the way.

As part of the mobile experience, Nikon will again hit the road in a custom-branded bright yellow SUV, traveling city to city as a highly visible hub for hands-on activations and creator engagement. The eye-catching vehicle will anchor select tour stops, allowing Nikon teams and Ambassadors to bring gear directly to creators, and create dynamic, on-the-ground opportunities for attendees to connect, learn, and capture content in real-world environments.

The 2026 Nikon Tour will officially kick off in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, from May 15–17, hosted at the Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary and led by Nikon Ambassador Tamara Lackey. This opening stop will set the tone for a year of exciting storytelling opportunities, creative exploration, and community connection.

Upcoming Nikon Tour Stops include:

• Chapel Hill, NC – May 15–17
• Seattle, WA – June 5–7
• Salt Lake City, UT – June 12–14
• Denver, CO – June 19–21
• Kansas City, MO – June 26–28
• Dallas, TX – September 25-27
• Nashville, TN – October 2-4
• Washington, DC – October 23-25
• Philadelphia, PA – October 30 – Nov 1
• Boston, MA – November 7-9

“The Nikon Tour is about bringing our community together and empowering creators at every stage of their journey,” said Fumiko Kawabata, Sr. Vice President, Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “With expanded programming this year and more opportunities to connect, learn, and create, we’re excited to continue building meaningful experiences across the country and across skill levels in 2026.”

At each location, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the latest Nikon Z series cameras and NIKKOR Z lenses, including the Nikon Z5II, Nikon Z50II, Z6III, Z8 and the Nikon ZR – Nikon’s first cinema camera – while participating in curated workshops and connecting with Nikon ambassadors and fellow creators. Each stop will feature a three-day experience, including a dedicated filmmaking day featuring the Nikon ZR and a day focused on advanced lens trials designed for more experienced photographers. The expanded approach delivers tailored, hands-on learning across photography and filmmaking disciplines, ensuring meaningful experiences for every level of creator – from those just getting started to seasoned professionals.

We want to inform club members about a free online training opportunity scheduled for June 2026: the Lightroom Virtual Summit 2026.

Lightroom Virtual Summit 2026 (June 1-5, 2026)

• 17 world-class instructors teaching 46 classes over 5 days
• Instructors include Anthony Morganti, Ben Willmore, Kristina Sherk, Colin Smith, Daniel Gregory, Glyn Dewis, Jesus Ramirez, Matt Kloskowski, and many more
• Every single training session is designed to take your Lightroom knowledge and skill to the next level - regardless of whether you're just starting or have years of experience. 
• It doesn’t matter whether you use Lightroom Classic or Lightroom—most of the techniques you’ll learn apply to both
• Following each class, you’ll be able to watch (and re-watch) for 48 hours at no charge
• After 48 hours, classes are available for VIP members as an optional purchase

View the Class Schedule | Sign Up for a Free Pass | Get VIP PASS Information (Early Bird Discount Pricing Now In Effect) 

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, Adobe issued the following updates to these products covered under its Creative Cloud Photography Plan:

• Lightroom Classic version 15.3
  • Organize and create mood boards by adding Lightroom images to Firefly boards
  • Transform standard shots with the new Film-inspired presets group
  • Enhance features and AI adjustments applied through batch workflows now run in the background, allowing you to continue using the app
  • Lightroom Classic now supports syncing PSB files
  • Support for new cameras and lenses
• Lightroom on desktop (version 9.3) and Lightroom on mobile (version 11.3)
  • Easily search your photos in Lightroom using natural language
  • Easily create mood boards by sending Lightroom photos directly to Firefly boards
  • Try out the new Film-Inspired presets in Lightroom on desktop and mobile
  • Make precise edits by panning and zooming in the Crop tool
  • You can now import, render, and edit PSB files in Lightroom, across all surfaces
  • Find newly added cameras in the complete supported camera profile list
  • Support for new cameras and lenses
• Camera Raw version 18.3
  • Try out over 12 new film-inspired presets in the Style presets group
  • Fix the aspect ratio of photos captured using anamorphic lenses. Supports squeeze factors up to 2.0
  • Fix stretched faces near edges and corners of wide-angle group photos, including selfies
  • Try out the new Film-Inspired presets in Lightroom on desktop and mobile
  • Support for new cameras and lenses

Additional details about updates are available from The Lightroom Queen blog and from Adobe's Terry White and Julianne Kost.

You can update your copies of these products by opening your Creative Cloud desktop and clicking the Update All link on the Updates tab. 

The following Plano Photography Club member(s) received recognition in the March 2026 Gulf States Camera Club Council photo competition:

Nature Projected

• Second Place: Fighting Tricolored Herons - Rachel Allen
• Third Place: Reaching Out For Food - Clive Fernando
  

Photojournalism Projected

• First Honorable Mention: Survived With Just a Bruised Ego - Frank Barnhart

To see the winning image(s) and a full list of award recipients, please visit the GSCCC competition results page.

Congratulations to the honoree(s) listed above.

Overview

Snapseed, Google’s popular free photo editing app, has just received a major update on iOS, introducing a brand-new built-in camera.

Snapseed’s new camera includes pro controls, preset film effects, and a range of
color themes for the UI. | Screenshots: Snapseed

This marks the first time Snapseed users can capture and edit photos directly within the same app, streamlining the creative workflow.

The new camera feature offers manual exposure controls, focus options, and support for both RAW and JPEG capture. It’s designed to give photographers more control over their shots before moving straight into Snapseed’s powerful editing tools. Users can now bypass the iOS Photos app entirely and start making adjustments, from basics like tuning and cropping to advanced filters and selective edits, right after shooting.

For mobile photographers, this update brings Snapseed closer to being a complete, self-contained photography solution. Whether capturing spontaneous moments or crafting detailed compositions, it’s now easier than ever to go from capture to final edit in one intuitive app.

Key New Features

• New in-app camera icon in the top-right of Snapseed on iOS, so you can shoot and edit without leaving the app.
• Optional Pro mode with manual ISO, shutter speed, and focus controls for more deliberate shooting.
• Real-time film-style looks that emulate classic Kodak, Fujifilm, Agfa, Polaroid, and other film stocks while you compose your shot.
• Ability to apply your own saved Looks and edit stacks at capture, then fine-tune or completely change them afterward since edits remain non-destructive.
• Multiple color themes (“skins”) for the camera interface, letting you customize the viewfinder appearance.
• Direct integration with iOS quick-launch options like Lock Screen widgets and Camera Control, so Snapseed can act like a default camera on compatible iPhones.
• Free update for existing Snapseed users on iPhone and iPad via the App Store.

On Friday, February 20, 2026, Adobe issued the following updates to these products covered under its Creative Cloud Photography Plan:

• Lightroom Classic version 15.2
  • Easily enhance Lightroom images in Firefly with prompt-based editing, or turn images into videos
  • You can now import, edit, and sync WebP files
  • Support for new cameras and lenses
• Lightroom on desktop (version 9.2) and Lightroom on mobile (version 11.2)
  • Generative Upscale, powered by Topaz Labs, helps you enhance image resolution and sharpness without losing details
  • Enhance Lightroom images in Firefly using prompt-based editing, or convert images into videos
  • You can now import, edit, and sync WebP files
  • Experience the redesigned Crop and Geometry tools for smoother scrolling and zooming
  • Support for new cameras and lenses
• Camera Raw version 18.2
  • Read WebP file format support
  • Support for new cameras and lenses

You can update your copies of these products by opening your Creative Cloud desktop and clicking the Update All link on the Updates tab. 

We want to inform club members about a free online training opportunity scheduled for February 2026 - the Photoshop Virtual Summit: Foundations.

If Photoshop has ever made you feel confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The Photoshop Virtual Summit: Foundations is designed to remove the confusion and help you build confidence step by step.

By the end of the Photoshop Virtual Summit: Foundations, Photoshop will feel approachable, understandable, and usable - so you can focus on creating instead of second-guessing.

Everyone starts somewhere. This summit is designed specifically for beginners, guiding you step by step from confusion to confidence—without jargon or guesswork.

Photoshop Virtual Summit: Foundations (February 23 - 27, 2026)

• 16 of the world's top Photoshop educators teaching 45 Photoshop classes over 5 days
• Instructors include Aaron Nace, Anthony Morganti, Blake Rudis, Brendan Williams, Colin Smith, Daniel Gregory, Dave Cross, Deke McClelland, Glyn Dewis, Jan Kabili, Khara Plicanic, Kirk Nelson, Lisa Carney, Matt Kloskowski, Nigel French, and Tim Grey.
• Each carefully planned introductory-level class brings you expert-led sessions designed to simplify Photoshop, demystify tools, and help you build the confidence to create with ease.
• Following each class, you’ll be able to watch (and re-watch) for 48 hours at no charge
• After 48 hours, classes are available for VIP members as an optional purchase

VIEW THE CLASS SCHEDULE | GET YOUR FREE PASS | VIP PASS INFORMATION (EARLY BIRD PRICING NOW AVAILABLE) 

As we enter 2026, photographers should take a moment to update their copyright information in their editing program of choice. This simple yet crucial task ensures your intellectual property is protected across all your images.

Here are additional reasons why you should update your copyright information: 

• It gets embedded automatically
  Your copyright, name, and contact info are written into the image’s metadata (IPTC/EXIF) every time you export. If it’s outdated, every new file goes out wrong.
• Metadata travels with the image
  Even when images are resized, emailed, uploaded, or downloaded, metadata often stays intact. That’s one of the few reliable ways your authorship follows the photo.
• It supports licensing and recovery
  If an image is reused without permission, embedded copyright info helps track it back to you. Many licensing platforms and image search tools rely on this data.
• It protects against “I didn’t know” claims
  Accurate, current metadata weakens claims of innocent infringement, especially if the image is used commercially.
• It keeps your workflow clean
  Updating once in the software avoids having to fix hundreds of files later. Think of it as preventative maintenance.
• Some platforms read it directly
  Stock sites, DAM systems, and editorial workflows often automatically pull creator and copyright fields. Bad data there can cause rejection or misattribution.

In short: your editing tool is the source of truth for every file you export. Updating the copyright there ensures every image leaving your system in 2026 carries correct, consistent ownership information. 

For a detailed, step-by-step guide on updating your copyright information in the various Adobe Lightroom products, visit The Lightroom Queen's website. You'll find comprehensive instructions for each Lightroom version, ensuring you can protect your work effectively in 2026 and beyond.