The highly anticipated final phase of the V&A Photography Centre is now open, and no matter what area of photography holds your interest, this news is worthy of your attention.

The V&A was the first museum to collect photographs, beginning in the 1850s, when it was known as the South Kensington Museum. Today, the collection is comprised of over a million objects related to the history of photography, including photographs, negatives, cameras, technical equipment, books, periodicals, and archival material. The origins of the photography collection in the V&A are intertwined with the development of the Museum itself. The first museum director, Henry Cole, was an amateur photographer, and a keen supporter of the art of photography in a time where the medium was considered as more of a science than an art.

The first phase of the dedicated Photography Centre opened in 2018, which doubled the space dedicated to photography at the V&A South Kensington. The opening of the second and final phase in 2023 means that there is now 1,000 square meters of dedicated space for photography within the V&A. Across seven galleries, the center showcases objects from the beginnings of photography alongside cutting-edge new commissions. 

The collection can be visited both online and in person, including the Royal Photographic Society archive, which was transferred to the V&A in 2017.

The University of Illinois at Chicago in its original form was a bold and mysterious place when it opened in the mid-1960s on the city’s West Side.

The idiosyncratic campus of modernist buildings linked by elevated concrete walkways, with a huge outdoor amphitheater called the Circle Forum at its center, was disliked by more than a few.

Then-Sun-Times architecture critic M.W. Newman famously dubbed the campus “Fortress Illini.”

But photographer Orlando Cabanban, hired by architect Walter Netsch of SOM to document the new university, saw things differently.

Cabanban’s photography depicted a bustling campus of unique buildings — a counterpoint to the criticism UIC had received.

“I liked the design,” Cabanban, now 89, says with a smile.

A licensed architect who switched to photography early in his career during the 1960s, the Chicago-born Cabanban was hired by top architecture firms to document their work.

And while he didn’t become as well-known as architectural image-makers such as Hedrich-Blessing, or Ezra Stoller, his UIC work alone shows he could give them a run for their money.

If you find midcentury images of signature buildings such as Marina City or Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist at 55 E. Wacker Dr., it’s likely Cabanban was behind the lens.

In 1995, as part of the Art Institute’s Chicago Architects Oral History Project, interviewer Betty Blum asked Netsch who was his preferred photographer.

“Well, I had three,” Netsch said. “The photographer Balthazar Korab from Detroit … And our local photographer Hedrich-Blessing. The other one was Orlando Cabanban.”

Architecture and more

Cabanban photographed the Raymond Hilliard Homes, 30 W. Cermak Rd., for architect Bertrand Goldberg in 1966.

The photographer captured Hilliard’s curves, shooting parts of the cylindrical development through its lozenge-shaped windows.

But the standout of the Hilliard bunch is a low-angle shot of a young boy on his bicycle, peering down into Cabanban’s camera while a 15-story Hilliard senior citizens building looms behind him.

“I saw him riding around and just asked him to pose,” Cabanban remembered. “I was there photographing the construction of the buildings.”

Architecture photographers of the time frequently didn’t include people in their images — the design is the thing — but Cabanban was among the exceptions.

As Netsch told Blum: “Orlando would always photograph with people, and I like that.”

Placing individuals within his architectural photography also illuminates a lesser-known part of Cabanban’s career: He documented people as a street photographer, and on assignments for the Field Museum and the Community Renewal Society.

Cabanban also traveled to the Philippines to photograph family members and the town in which his father was born.

He also photographed a 1966 Loop demonstration led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

“I think I favor the people photographs,” Cabanban said. “That was my first love.”

For the Field, Cabanban photographed Mexican Americans living in the south suburbs during the 1960s. The photographs show weddings, gatherings in the park — even some cattle-wrangling event.

The museum also assigned Cabanban to document Native Americans in Chicago and in the Southwest.

“I went to the powwows, and I danced. I learned to dance just, you know, just going around in a circle, pounding my feet,” Cabanban laughed.

Perhaps a photographic story to tell

UIC looks more traditional today. There are some new buildings, and the walkways and Circle Forum were removed in the 1990s.

Cabanban’s masterful images of UIC — seen around the world at the time — remain the best and most thorough photographic record of the original out-of-this-world campus.

Meanwhile, Cabanban has put down the Nikons, Hasselblads and Sinars and retired from photography.

“No, I don’t shoot anymore,” he said. “I photograph my grandchildren though, once in a while when I get a good camera in my hands.”

Cabanban wonders if a book of his work might be in order. In addition to SOM, Goldberg and Weese, Cabanban’s client list reads like an architectural who’s who of the era, including the likes of Perkins & Will and Mies van der Rohe.

Here’s hoping it happens. Packaged the right way along with Cabanban’s street and ethnographic photography, it could all make for a compelling new look at the people and places of 20th century Chicago.

Lee Bey is the Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic and a member of the Editorial Board.

Send letters to letters@suntimes.com

Capturing images with accurate colors and tones is essential for creating stunning and visually appealing photographs. One crucial element that helps achieve this is white balance. In this article, we will explore the concept of white balance, its importance, and how it can elevate your photography skills.

What is white balance?

White balance refers to the process of adjusting the colors in a photograph to ensure that whites appear truly white, regardless of the lighting conditions. Different light sources emit varying color temperatures, which can distort the colors in your images. The human eye adapts to these color shifts effortlessly, but cameras need assistance to reproduce colors accurately. Different times of the day or even seasons, as well as natural light compared to artificial light can produce different qualities and colors of light.

Color temperature and the Kelvin Scale

The color temperature of light is measured in Kelvin (K). Higher Kelvin values indicate cooler tones (such as blue), while lower values represent warmer tones (such as orange or red). For instance, daylight has a higher color temperature, around 5500K-6500K, resulting in cooler tones, while incandescent light produces a lower color temperature, around 2500K-3200K, resulting in warmer tones.

White balance presets

To help photographers achieve accurate colors in different lighting conditions, cameras provide several white balance presets, such as Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent and Flash. These presets adjust the camera’s settings to compensate for the color temperature of the light source. For example, selecting the “Tungsten” preset when shooting indoors under tungsten lighting will counterbalance the warm orange cast and restore more natural-looking colors.

Custom white balance

In situations where the available presets may not accurately represent the lighting conditions, photographers can create a custom white balance. This involves capturing a reference image of a white or neutral gray object under the same lighting conditions as the scene. The camera uses this reference image to determine the exact color temperature of the light source and make the necessary adjustments to achieve accurate colors.

Post-processing and white balance

White balance adjustments can also be made during post-processing using photo editing software. Most editing applications provide tools to fine-tune the white balance, such as sliders or droppers. This flexibility allows photographers to correct any color casts or enhance the mood of an image by deliberately adjusting the white balance. This is especially the case if you are capturing your images as raw files.

So, what white balance should you use?

You can change your white balance in the camera to suit the environment you are photographing. You could also leave it on Auto white balance (WB)and adjust it in post-processing. Choose a preferred Kelvin and stick with that (I am quite partial to 5600K). If you are new to photography and find the exposure triangle enough to deal, with I suggest leaving the WB on Auto until you get more familiar with all your settings.

A final word

Understanding and utilizing white balance is vital for photographers seeking to capture images with accurate and appealing colors. Whether through camera presets or custom adjustments in post-processing, mastering white balance empowers photographers to unleash their creative potential and bring their images to life. So, grab your camera and explore the world of white balance to enhance your photography skills!

Want to find out more about white balance?

A list of movies or songs (or anything pertaining to art) is bound to be missing some notable entries. By no means is this a list of the best 15 songs about photography. And it doesn’t cover all genres of music either. But it is a list of songs that, while not necessarily focusing on photography as the core theme, still manage to touch the sentiments of photographers everywhere.

Album art for this article is being used under fair use.

“Photograph” by Ringo Starrr

I can think of at least three other songs by reputed musicians that have the same title. There’s the one by Ed Sheeran with the autobiographical music video to go along with it. Gen Xers will undoubtedly remember the classic 1983 tune by the active rock legends Def Leppard. And who can forget the titular tune by the band that everyone loves to hate – Nickelback. But the one that resonates most with me is by Sir Richard Starkey, more commonly known by his moniker Ringo Starr. This was co-written with fellow bandmate from The Beatles, George Harrison, and is the lead single from his 1973 album Ringo.

How many of you know that Ringo Starr was a proficient photographer himself. He’s even published books about his photography. One of them is literally titled” Photograph.”

“Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga

For me, any mention of the word paparazzi takes me back to the morning of September 1, 1997, when I woke up to the news of the tragic death of Princess Diana. It’s been over two decades since then, but this word has remained a trigger of sorts to the sadness of that day and the weeks that followed.

A little over two decades after that tragedy, the world awoke to a new musical talent named Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known to the world as Lady Gaga. Hot on the heels of the rocking success of the first two songs from her album ‘The Fame,’ she released another couple of popular numbers, the second of which was Paparazzi. Gaga expresses a love-hate dynamic with the paparazzi, acknowledging their role in boosting her fame while also critiquing their invasive tactics. The song sheds light on the darker side of fame and the consequences of living in the public eye.

“Pictures of You” by The Cure

Pictures Of You was released as a single from The Cure’s 1989 album Disintegration. Known for its atmospheric sound, heartfelt lyrics, and emotional impact, the song explores themes of loss and reminiscence. As with most music videos, I wish I could make more sense of what the visuals were trying to imply. Still, the guitar work, ethereal synthesizers, and slow tempo create a dreamlike and wistful atmosphere for your listening pleasure.

Several sources have been attributed as the inspiration behind this song. The most notable one is by Robert Smith himself, who once destroyed many old personal photos as a way to erase part of his past. An act that he regretted later.

Here’s an interesting bit of trivia. The band’s second world tour, which began in 1981, was titled “The Picture Tour.”

“I’ll Wait” by Van Halen

With a more pop-rock style than their earlier songs, the American rock band Van Halen released I’ll Wait as part of their sixth studio album, 1984. It was written in collaboration with former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald. The song features Eddie Van Halen’s virtuosic guitar playing, combining guitar solos and melodic riffs. It reached no 13 on the Billboard Top 100 back then. No music video was filmed for it at the time. The song showcases the band’s ability to evolve their sound while maintaining their distinctive musical identity.

“Kodachrome” by Paul Simon

To the best of my knowledge, Kodak had nothing to do with this song in terms of sponsoring or greenlighting the lyrics. Even though the lyrics sing the praises of this popular 35mm stock. Written by one half of the legendary band Simon & Garfunkel, this catchy song touches on the limitations and fleeting nature of memories. Analog or digital, I’d recommend you all print more of your photographs anyway. The BBC refused to air this song in the UK, though, as they didn’t want it to seem like they were indirectly endorsing Kodak’s product. Can’t help but agree with Paul Simon about the winning combination of a Nikon SLR and a roll of Kodachrome.

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
Give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away

Paul Simon

“Click Click Click” by New Kids On The Block

One of the original boy bands that made an impact in the 80s and 90s, NKOTB, was quite prominent during my childhood. This track by them after their reunion in 2008. Incorporating elements of R&B, the song still retains the group’s signature pop melody. Although the “click, click, click” in the lyrics also symbolizes the shutter sounds made by cameras, it could refer to the instantaneous connection between the song’s protagonist and his muse. It’s one of those songs that you either love or hate.

“Hey Ya!” by Outkast

This song introduced many to the catchphrase “Shake it like a Polaroid picture.” The phrase is an apparent reference to the vigorous flapping of the Polaroid print that many of us do instantly after it’s ejected from the camera. It won them a Best Urban/Alternative Performance Grammy at the 46th Grammy Awards. Interestingly, Polaroid recommends that you don’t shake the photos this way. Whether you choose to shake your Polaroids or not, give the song a listen. It’s a catchy number.

“Polaroid Picture” by Frank Turner

Still on the theme of Polaroids, this is one of those songs that makes you nostalgic about the good old days. It’s a relatively recent track (if you consider 2013 as being not so long ago), and it reflects on the passage of years and the way memories quickly fade with time. The singer almost implores the listener to take a Polaroid picture before it’s too late, in order to freeze memories forever. The song starts on a slow note before energetic beats catch up.

After listening to this track, I sat down and tried to recollect all those times when I could and should have taken a picture, but I didn’t. And as much as I wish I had, I let that moment become nothing more than a memory in my head. It’s a lot easier nowadays with the convenience of smartphone cameras. So take a moment, smile, and take that photograph. Your future self will thank you for it someday.

Take a Polaroid picture
(Let go of the little distractions)
Take a Polaroid picture
(Hold close to the ones that you love)
Take a Polaroid picture
(We all want you to see where time goes)
Please Take a Polaroid picture
(While you can take a picture of us)

Frank Turner

“Camera Phone” by The Game (featuring Ne-Yo)

The Game collaborated with R&B artist Ne-Yo in “Camera Phone” to produce a song blending rap and R&B with melodic vocal performances. The lyrics revolve around casually capturing fun moments at a party using camera phones. The Game confidently raps his verses while the ever-melodious Ne-Yo sings the catchy chorus in his signature smooth voice.

“Family Portrait” by P!nk

A deeply personal song for the artist, Family Portrait explores the crippling effects of separation and divorce on young children. P!nk wrote this thoughtful ballad at the age of 21, based on a poem that she penned when her parents divorced 12 years before that. The song describes how often family portraits showcase a happy scene when the reality of the situation might be far from pleasant. The emotional notes that she hits during the song clearly show how much of an impact the events of her childhood must have had on her while growing up.

“Girls On Film” by Duran Duran

Opening with the addictive shutter sounds of what appears to be a Nikon FM or FM2, this song looks to be about the glamorous world of fashion, even if the visuals in the music video aren’t quite the same theme. Featuring signature elements of Duran Duran’s sound, such as the catchy bassline and electronic sounds, the narrative centers around the sometimes exploitative nature of the fashion industry. They released it just a handful of weeks before MTV went live in 1981. Only the third single from the British band, the originally filmed controversial music video for this almost overshadowed the track’s success.

“Send A Picture Of Mother” by Johnny Cash

This track was part of the “At Folsom Prison” album, recorded live on location at the California state prison. It’s about a prisoner longing to see his mother and asks for a photograph to hold on to. Capturing feelings of homesickness, the track explores the strong yet often disconnected emotions that incarcerated prisoners feel toward their loved ones. Many prisoners around the country would often write in to Cash asking to perform for them. This inspired him to create this song and album. His deep voice crooning over his legendary guitar skills makes for an emotional piece.

“Camera” by R.E.M.

This isn’t one of the more peppy songs on our list. The track is more melancholic in terms of both the melody and the lyrics. R.E.M. wrote this song as a tribute to Carol Levy, the band’s photographer. Sadly she passed away in a car crash while on tour with the band to promote their first album Murmur.

“Electric Eye” by Judas Priest

One of the signature tunes of British heavy metal band Judas Priest, the 1982 song Electric Eye was prophetic. Exploring themes of surveillance and invasion of privacy, the track’s heavy drumming and rip-roaring vocals address concerns about the impact of technology on society. Sounds creepy? We’re living in this kind of world right now, whether we like it or not.

Always in focus
You can’t feel my stare
I zoom into you
But you don’t know I’m there

I take a pride in probing
All your secret moves
My tearless retina takes pictures that can prove

Judas Priest

“Photographs Can Lie” by Elvis Costello & The Imposters

They certainly can, and with the advent of image-generating AI tools, it’s becoming increasingly harder to tell what’s a photograph and what isn’t. A song from their 2018 album titled “Look Now,” the track looks at the deceptive nature of photographs and how they can mask genuine emotions and realities. Is every photograph a lie? I guess in some ways it is, depending on what is framed inside the photo and what’s left out. At least Elvis Costello and his band seem to think so.

What are some of your favorite songs about photography? Let us know in the comments which ones you’d recommend.

All the songs listed in this article can be heard on this playlist on Spotify. You could also listen to them on this Youtube playlist.

Earlier that day, film-maker Kaja Kraska had accompanied her new friend Muanauru to the market to buy a chicken. Now, it was sitting on Muanauru’s head.

It was summer 2020 and Kraska was with her husband, Mateus, in Mambo, a village in Tanzania’s Usambara mountains. They create documentaries across the world for their YouTube channel Globstory. After a first Covid lockdown that had confined them to Poland, they decided to visit Tanzania, in part because of its unusual response to the pandemic.

“The president of Tanzania at the time, John Magufuli, declared that prayer would cure the country of Covid. When he then died, there was speculation that the virus had killed him.”

They spent three months of their trip in Mambo, a village in the mountains, where they met Muanauru, who worked at the eco lodge where they were staying. “We wanted to cover the village healer; he is the first person some people go to before they go to a hospital.” Muanauru “is a kind, generous lady and speaks English, so she agreed to act as our fixer”. The healer asked if they could bring along a chicken to diagnose any ailments or issues in Muanauru’s body. Kraska was mostly focused on filming with her digital camera, but she took this shot on her iPhone 11, inside the healer’s home.

“First he applied a dark paste to parts of Muanauru’s body, then he put the chicken on her head and performed a ritual. Usually, he’d then slaughter the bird and check its innards to find out what was wrong, but we stopped before we got to that part. The chicken lived for another day, at least.”