“By showing how beautiful and complex their bodies are, I think people will start to appreciate them more,” says Hasan Alhamada of Saudi Arabia. A computer programmer specializing in designing corporate brochures, he got into macro photography when unsuccessfully trying to create a flower using software. He hopes that his photography can help people better understand the role of insects in the ecosystem.
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“I think that we all have a part of madness that is a little imprisoned in us,” opines talented French photographer Aishy. He came up with a creative idea for a corporate photoshoot one day, and it was so well received that the company hung those portraits around their offices. Follow me.
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Being the Arts & Culture editor of The Phoblographer, you may think I have little interest in the gear side of the industry. After all, we have a female-led section of the site that helps educate folks about cameras and lenses. However, while I’m always more interested in the photograph rather than the tool, I still very much enjoy everything gear-related. I’m always looking at the best cameras, considering upgrades while I do. And in this article, I’m going to tell you why you should buy that new camera, even if you don’t need to.
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I want to preface the rest of this article by saying that I’m team photography NFTs. Despite the reservations I’ve written about, I fully welcome photographers making money by any ethical means necessary. Experimenting with art and technology is fun; no industry should aim to limit that. But photographers are often consumers, and I question those intrigued by NFTs, especially those who seem to favor them over a traditional printed photograph.
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The staff at The Phoblographer adore their Fujifilm camera. Three of us own products for the system. Two others are considering switching over. And for the past decade, I’ve basically bought new Fujifilm lenses or cameras each year. I’ve accumulated a lot. Over the past year, I decided it was time to pare down. We all do it! We all end up buying a new lens or sometimes a new camera that we don’t use often. So, I got rid of them. Well, I didn’t get rid of everything; I paired it down to just the necessities.
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Last week, I was having a conversation with a friend. She’s a hobbyist model and will sometimes pose nude. She also likes to share her images online. Going through her portfolio, I wouldn’t describe her images as sexually explicit. But, when sharing them online (specifically on Instagram), she has to sensor certain parts of her body. Why is this still happening?
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“I am finding it hard to return to the old normal. I feel change is inevitable,” says North Carolina native Brian Cummings about life during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Something we were all unprepared for and what hit us far harder than we expected. But when life gave him lemons, Brian made a pink lemonade cocktail in the form of a visually larger-than-life photo project titled ‘I Know What You Didn’t Do Last Summer’.
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“My creative work helps me to express my inner feelings,” says Yekaterinburg-based Russian graphic designer and visual artist Ruslan Khasanov. Creative experimentation comes naturally to this Cannes Lions Gold winner (2018). He spotted a rainbow pattern in a discarded CD one day, and that inspired him to create his ‘Burn’ series of images, a part of his larger Disctortion project
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“Passion is what drives and compels me to capture photos and tell a story in compelling, innovative, and emotive ways,” says Travis Greer of Kentucky. During an emotionally turbulent time in his life, he shot a series of lighting photos which he then made into a definitive compilation. Planning and shooting these lightning photos was therapeutic and helped him overcome some lonely times, and it made him a stronger person.
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A good photography project takes time to create. A lot of thought needs to go into the execution, as photographers decide the best route to deliver the look they want to achieve. Beyond the images, a good photography project must send a message. Whether it’s positive, negative, or neutral, the intention has to connect with the viewer. The difficulty of this is why many projects fail, but we’re not here to talk about those. We’re here to focus on the wins. Let’s take a look.
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A modern camera can have all the AI, megapixels, autofocus points, and weather sealing in the world and still not work for you. It can be the most expensive one on the market and still not be that sweet serenade to your heart. The best camera can be loved by so many photographers in groups, but not have any chemistry with you. The best camera shouldn’t ever get in the way of making pictures. And most importantly, it shouldn’t get in the way of letting you fully enjoy life.
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“…I have learned to not dwell on the images I may or may not be making and instead just enjoy the process of making them,” explains photographer Zeb Andrews. He adds, “it is a lot of fun.” For most folks, Zeb doesn’t need an introduction. We’ve featured him on our site a few times. The Bruce Wayne persona of Zeb is one of the folks in charge of Blue Moon camera: undeniably one of the best vintage and analog photography stores. I speak with him weekly for our Rare Camera Store initiative. And when the night hits, Zeb dons a metaphorical photo vest and ventures out to make exciting photos. Below are just some of them.
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I have previously written about the possibilities of photography being addictive. It’s certainly plausible that street photography is addictive—the hunt, the catch, the shot, the endorphins! It’s the reason so many street photographers go out in search of the rush that comes with “getting the shot.” The reality is, however, you’re not going to get a great shot all the time. And I know many street photographers get disheartened with that. You shouldn’t, and here’s why.
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“In the end, we are all just human beings, and that’s often forgotten with athletes. That is also the case as a photographer,” says Dutch photographer Yannick Schurwanz. He was a former competitive athlete when an injury forced him to the sidelines for a few weeks. Picking up a camera during this period got him a funny nickname and a future photography career.
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“I found this small lake in my first year of diving,” photographer Tiina Törmänen tells me of this remote and secret place in Finland. “The pink algae was just so weird, and I had never seen anything like it before. That first time, it even felt a bit scary. Visibility was maybe seven to ten meters, so I couldn’t see what was in front of me.” As she swam, long ribbons of rose-colored algae appeared out of nowhere, like the arms of a ghost. As she moved, they broke apart as easily as swirls of dust.
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“One of the most fascinating figures I encountered in the Amazon was Mr. Benedito Balão, a man who lived on the banks of the Xingu River,” photojournalist Lalo de Almeida tells me. By the time they met, the older man was already in his seventies. Construction had just begun on the Belo Monte Dam, a hydroelectric mega-project in the Amazon basin that would result in the displacement of tens of thousands of people. When de Almeida introduced himself, Mr. Balão was actively protesting the building of the complex.
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Street photography remains popular strong in 2021. As the world continues to open up, the streets are filling up with people. It’s a perfect time again for street photographers to get out and shoot. However, if you need a little push or you’re looking to get started in the game of the candid frame, we’ve got some inspiration for you. Below is a round-up of some of the best street photographers we have featured over the years. Without a doubt, you’re going to fall in love with them and the weirdly wonderful craft that is street photography.
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“I remember the assault of color from Filoli’s incredible tulip beds this spring,” the artist David Ellis tells me. “But I also remember the disconnect of people having to wear masks and socially distance to enjoy an outdoor park and garden.” As part of their spring display in March through May, the historic California house and garden showcased 30 varieties of tulips, from the crimson Kingsblood to the creamy White Triumphator. Still, amid all those swaths of living color, the specter of COVID-19 lingered.
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Ashraful Arefin is a still life and street photographer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He creates beautiful, vibrant images that highlight his background in design. He’s unashamedly proud of his relationship with Photoshop and shares how he uses it to bring his photographs to life. In an hour-long conversation, I spoke to Arefin about his work, his life in Bangladesh, and everything else in between.
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If you’ve clicked on this headline, then you’ve probably heard this line before in some way or another. But the truth is that everyone else’s camera takes such crappy photos. With that said, I think camera manufacturers have a huge problem. Everyone is delighted with their mediocre photos because they don’t want to bring around a dedicated camera. Sure, folks who care about photography will buy a dedicated camera. But most people don’t need an excellent camera.
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Some photographers aim to challenge societal views. Others like to make bold statements with their images. Not all photography is pretty, and not all of it will make you feel good. There’s an important space for the type of work. But we’re not visiting that space today. Instead, we’re here for the feel-good and the heartwarming photography. The six photographers below will give us everything we need to wear a smile on our faces.
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