5 Essentials for Beginners To Start Their Seascape Photography

By in Photography

5 Essentials for Beginners To Start Their Seascape Photography

Ah, the allure of the sea! The crashing waves, the salty air, and the breathtaking beauty of the coastline. If you’re a beginner photographer looking to embark on a seascape photography journey, you’re in for a treat. Seascapes offer a wealth of stunning photographic opportunities, but getting started can seem a bit daunting. Fear not! In this article, we’ll explore the five essentials for beginners to kick-start their seascape photography adventure and capture mesmerizing images that will transport viewers to the shores.

1. Research and Scout Locations

The first essential step is to research and scout potential seascape locations. From dramatic cliffs to serene beaches, coastlines offer a myriad of possibilities. Look for spots that have interesting geological features, rock formations, piers, lighthouses, or any other elements that can add character to your images. Study tide charts to plan your shoots during low or high tide, as they can drastically change the look and feel of the scene. Take note of the sunrise and sunset directions to position yourself for optimal lighting conditions. The more you know about your chosen locations, the better prepared you’ll be to capture stunning seascapes.

2. Gear Up for the Challenge

Seascape photography comes with its own unique challenges, and having the right gear is essential. Invest in a sturdy tripod to keep your camera stable in windy conditions and ensure sharp images. A wide angle lens, such as a 16-35mm or 24-70mm, will allow you to capture the expansive beauty of the seascape. Consider using a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance colors, especially when photographing water or capturing reflections. Lastly, don’t forget lens cloths and protective gear to shield your equipment from the sea spray.

3. Master Long Exposures

Long-exposure photography is a fantastic technique for creating captivating seascapes. By using longer shutter speeds, you can capture the movement of water, creating a dreamy and ethereal effect. To achieve long exposures, set your camera to manual mode and use a small aperture (higher f-stop number) to limit the amount of light entering the camera. Attach a neutral density (ND) filter to reduce the amount of light further, allowing for longer exposures without overexposing the image. Experiment with different shutter speeds, from a few seconds to several minutes, and observe how the water transforms into a silky and serene surface.

4. Embrace Dynamic Lighting

Lighting is a crucial element in seascape photography. The interplay of light and shadow can add drama, depth, and dimension to your images. Be prepared to adapt to the ever-changing lighting conditions by visiting your chosen location at different times of the day. The soft golden light during sunrise and sunset can infuse your seascapes with warmth and create stunning silhouettes. Stormy and dramatic skies during cloudy or rainy weather can add a sense of mood and intensity to your images. Don’t shy away from challenging lighting situations; instead, embrace them as opportunities to capture unique and compelling seascapes.

5. Capture the Essence of Motion

Seascapes are inherently dynamic, with crashing waves, swirling tides, and the constant ebb and flow of the water. To truly capture the essence of motion in your images, experiment with different techniques. Use a faster shutter speed to freeze the action and capture the power and energy of breaking waves. Conversely, a slower shutter speed will allow you to convey the fluidity and movement of the water. Incorporate long exposure techniques mentioned earlier to create a sense of calm and tranquility in your seascapes. Play with different perspectives, angles, and compositions to capture the ever-changing nature of the sea.

Let’s Summarize

In conclusion, starting your seascape photography journey is an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the coastlines and capture mesmerizing images. By researching and scouting locations, equipping yourself with the right gear, mastering long exposures, embracing dynamic lighting, and capturing the essence of motion, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning seascapes.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you venture out to the shores, the more you’ll learn about the ever-changing nature of the sea and its photographic potential. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try different techniques, and develop your own unique style. Every seascape has its own story to tell, and it’s up to you to capture its essence through your lens.

Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy the process. Seascapes offer a sense of serenity and tranquility that can be incredibly therapeutic. Take the time to appreciate the beauty around you, listen to the soothing sound of the waves, and let yourself be inspired by the vastness of the ocean. Your passion for seascapes will shine through your images, inviting others to experience the captivating world you’ve captured.

So, gather your gear, research your locations, and set off on your seascape photography journey. Let the waves guide you, the light inspire you, and the beauty of the coastlines fill your frames. With the five essentials for beginners in mind, you’re well equipped to embark on an adventure that will not only expand your photographic skills but also deepen your connection with the captivating allure of the sea. Happy shooting, and may your seascapes transport viewers to the serene and enchanting world of the coastlines.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Let’s continue the conversation below.

Honeycomb Swells Across Ava Roth’s Embroidered Works Made in Collaboration with Bees

By in Art World News

Honeycomb Swells Across Ava Roth’s Embroidered Works Made in Collaboration with Bees

Detail of “Blue and Gold, Ithra,” encaustic, Japanese paper, gold leaf, embroidery floss, glass beads, natural honeycomb, local Ontario maple frame, 17.5 x 17.5 inches. All images © Ava Roth, shared with permission

Artist Ava Roth (previously) continues her lavish honeycomb-laden works made through ongoing interspecies collaboration. Working with bee colonies for the last several years, the Toronto-based artist creates delicate encaustic pieces that emphasize natural processes and the allure of organic aesthetics. Set inside wooden frames augmented by rounded forms evocative of embroidery hoops, the mixed-media compositions begin with Roth’s carefully stitched motifs and beaded embellishments. Once she’s finished her portion, she inserts the works into the hives of her six-legged collaborators to build their waxy forms.

Many of Roth’s most recent pieces involve “bridge combs,” which are segments of the prismatic cells that flow beyond the areas the artist designates. As shown in “Beaded Circles, Indigo,” these constructions add more dimension and visual intrigue to the compositions as they swell and surge above the base. The completed works convey a “tension between control and wildness” that Roth sees as a metaphorical blueprint for the future. She explains:

Emphasizing this tension feels critical because the project is fundamentally about exploring the boundaries of humans’ relationship to the natural environment…I hope these pieces are a visual representation of what that balance could look like, as we set some moderate limits on control and simultaneously allow ourselves to fall in love with a greater degree of wildness.

Roth is represented by Wall Space Gallery in Ottawa and has a few new works available, which you can find on her site and Instagram.

 

An embroidered work with beads in a square frame is covered in three concentric wooden hoops and honeycomb overflowing on the top

“Beaded Circles, Indigo,” encaustic, Japanese paper, embroidery floss, glass beads, natural honeycomb, local Ontario maple frame, 17.5 x 17.5 inches

Honeycomb overflows across a beaded embroidery

Detail of “Beaded Circles, Indigo,” encaustic, Japanese paper, embroidery floss, glass beads, natural honeycomb, local Ontario maple frame, 17.5 x 17.5 inches

A square wooden frame holds honeycomb that surrounds two concentric circles, the outer with a floral pattern on metallic material and the smaller with honeycomb. A small piece of honeycomb is atop the floral pattern on the bottom right

“Gold Honeycomb Ring with Flowers,” encaustic, Japanese paper, gold leaf, embroidery floss, natural honeycomb, local Ontario maple frame, 17.5 x 17.5 inches

A small piece of honeycomb is atop a floral pattern on gold leaf on the bottom right with a perfectly round wooden frame holding honeycomb in the center

Detail of “Gold Honeycomb Ring with Flowers,” encaustic, Japanese paper, gold leaf, embroidery floss, natural honeycomb, local Ontario maple frame, 17.5 x 17.5 inches

A beaded gray motif in the backdrop of a wooden frame with four concentric round wooden frames and honeycomb in varied layers

“Beaded Circles, Taupe,” encaustic, Japanese paper, gold leaf, embroidery floss, glass beads, natural honeycomb, local Ontario maple frame, 17.5 x 17.5 inches

A beaded gray motif in the backdrop with four concentric wooden frames and honeycomb in varied layers

Detail of “Beaded Circles, Taupe,” encaustic, Japanese paper, gold leaf, embroidery floss, glass beads, natural honeycomb, local Ontario maple frame, 17.5 x 17.5 inches

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Honeycomb Swells Across Ava Roth’s Embroidered Works Made in Collaboration with Bees appeared first on Colossal.

Master’s Degrees In Graphic Design: Everything You Need To Know

By in Art World News

Master’s Degrees In Graphic Design: Everything You Need To Know

A master’s in graphic design can help you gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in various art and design careers. Graphic design master’s graduates may qualify for jobs like graphic designer, art director, industrial designer and graphic design instructor.

Though a master’s in graphic design is not a standard requirement for the field, earning this degree can help you stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects slower-than-average job growth for graphic designers between 2021 and 2031, meaning employers can be more selective.

A graphic design graduate degree provides an excellent opportunity to refine your skills, build a portfolio of work and network with other professionals in the field. Find out what to expect from master’s programs in graphic design, including potential graphic design career paths, in the guide below.

Degree Finder

What Is a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design?

A master’s in graphic design is a graduate-level degree that prepares students for various arts, digital media and design-related careers. Graphic design master’s programs focus on advanced graphic design theory, concepts, tools and practices. Classes explore typography, design criticism, and graphic design and art history.

A typical master’s degree takes full-time students two years to complete. It usually takes longer to graduate if you study part time.

Graphic design programs may offer a master of fine arts (MFA) or master of arts (MA) degree. Both degree types usually require core and elective coursework, seminars, a portfolio and studio work. An MFA may take longer to complete than an MA and typically prepares graduates for professional fine arts practice. An MA might be a better choice if you plan to do something other than become a professional artist.

Degree requirements often include a capstone or practicum experience or an internship, either of which provides hands-on experience in a professional graphic design setting. If you choose an online master’s in graphic design, you may need to complete internship or practicum requirements in person. Some programs also require a master’s thesis.

Admission Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design

Admission criteria for master’s programs in graphic design vary by school but always include a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the program, you may not need an undergraduate graphic design degree to pursue a master’s in the subject, but you must demonstrate a strong graphic design background.

Potential admission requirements for a master’s in graphic design program include:

  • Official transcripts that prove you hold a bachelor’s degree
  • Letters of recommendation (sometimes optional)
  • A personal statement or statement of purpose
  • A résumé
  • A graphic design portfolio

Common Courses in a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design

Explore some typical classes in a master’s degree in graphic design:

  • User experience design. This core course explores fundamental user experience design theories and tools. Topics include wireframing, stakeholder interviews, prototypes and customer experience maps.
  • Graduate graphic design studio. Studio time allows learners to work on design projects for their portfolios.
  • History of graphic design. Students learn about the history of graphic design, including key figures and events that shaped the field today.
  • Graphic design thesis. Depending on the program, students may take one or more classes to work on their graphic design thesis. This project is the culmination of everything learned during the program and usually includes both written and design components.

Accreditation for a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design

Some of the best degrees in graphic design are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), which evaluates educational quality for undergraduate and graduate programs in arts and design-related disciplines.

Though not an industry requirement, attending an NASAD-accredited graphic design program may help you stand out from others in the field. You can look up programs in NASAD’s database of accredited institutions to see if your prospective degree is programmatically accredited.

What Can You Do with a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design?

A master’s degree in graphic design can prepare you to apply for various creative jobs. Some of these roles may require experience, education or certification beyond a master’s in graphic design. No degree guarantees a specific job, but you can learn some potential opportunities below.

The below salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or Payscale.

Graphic Designers

Median Annual Salary: $57,990
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Graphic designers tell stories and communicate information visually. They use digital tools and draw by hand to create the design and layout of magazines, websites, products and advertisements. Graphic designers often work with public relations, marketing and advertising professionals. These professionals need creativity and artistic, computer and communication skills.

Fine Artists

Median Annual Salary: $57,560
Minimum Required Education: None required, but many complete a bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Fine artists use various techniques and mediums to create original art that they sell or exhibit. Many fine artists also have other jobs in addition to selling their art. Many types of fine artists use graphic design skills, including cartoonists, illustrators, medical and scientific illustrators, and video artists.

Art Directors

Median Annual Salary: $105,180
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Art directors oversee and help create the design and style in movies, TV, magazines and product packaging. Tasks include managing other design workers, dealing with clients, and approving images and concepts. Art directors may work in publishing, advertising and public relations or movie production.

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Median Annual Salary: $98,950
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Special effects artists and animators make visual effects and images for movies, tv shows and video games. With experience, they can sometimes advance to become art directors or producers. Special effects artists and animators need artistic talent and creativity, as well as computer and communication skills.

Postsecondary Teacher

Median Annual Salary: $76,920
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree
Job Overview: Postsecondary teachers provide instruction to students after high school. They work in universities, community colleges and professional schools. Common job duties include teaching classes, grading student work, conducting research and making lesson plans.
Although most universities require instructors to hold a Ph.D., a master’s degree in graphic design can suffice for some postsecondary teaching positions in the field.

User Experience (UX) Designer

Average Annual Salary: About $76,400
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: UX designers improve a user’s experience using a product or service through design. UX design most commonly applies to computer software and hardware, but the discipline’s principles can be used in other areas as well. UX designers create prototypes, conduct user testing and evaluate outcomes. They usually work on teams with engineers and other designers.

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Median Annual Salary: $83,240
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma or bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Web and digital interface designers create designs for websites and digital interfaces. Job duties include developing and testing layouts, navigation menus and interfaces, along with evaluating web design and managing web content. Web and digital interface designers also create website graphics.

Industrial Designers

Median Annual Salary: $75,910
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Industrial designers use art, engineering and business skills to design manufactured products like cars, furniture and toys. Typical duties include brainstorming designs, sketching ideas, creating prototypes of designs and meeting with clients to discuss projects. Industrial designers need artistic ability, creativity and computer, mechanical and problem-solving skills.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Master’s Degrees in Graphic Design

Is a master’s degree in graphic design worth it?

Only you can decide if it’s worthwhile to get a master’s in graphic design. Graduate school usually involves a significant investment of time and money, but it can also open the door to better career and salary opportunities, help you develop a portfolio of work, provide chances to network and give you a sense of personal accomplishment.

Can you do a masters in graphic design online?

Yes, you can complete an online master’s program in graphic design. Pursuing your graphic design graduate degree online can offer flexibility and convenience compared to a traditional on-campus program.

Is it worth it to major in graphic design?

Majoring in graphic design can be worthwhile depending on your career goals and personal interests. Consider whether advanced graphic design skills would help you bring your career plans to life. Graphic design majors often become graphic designers, but some pursue careers as art directors, animators and web designers. These are all relatively well-paying careers with salaries ranging from $83,000 to more than $100,000.

AI Can’t Survive Without Photography

By in Photography

AI Can’t Survive Without Photography

An apocalyptic camera

As photographers wait nervously for artificially intelligent (AI) robots to replace them, an inherent quirk of the technology may actually be what saves them.

For programs like Midjourney and other AI image generators to produce good results they need quality source photos to begin with.

Recently I’ve been playing around with Photo AI, a program that claims to be the “world’s first AI photographer”. To build a model of someone, you have to feed the program photos of that person and I quickly realized the better the photos are; the better the results you get from Photo AI.

In a recent interview with PetaPixel, photographer Sophie Gammand talked about how she gave rescue dogs their ears back with the help of AI and she made clear that the pictures worked so much better when she used her own high-quality photographs.

“The photo needed to be clear and the angle easy to work with,” she explains. “When I used people’s own photos, I struggled a bit more than when I used my studio portraits.”

That’s because photos taken by lay people tend to be of far lower quality when compared to an accomplished photographer such as Gammand — something that people working on AI image generators must be aware of.

How Will AI Learn New Objects and New People Without Photographers?

Say someone wants to create AI images of their new product. Well, you need source photos. But what if that person doesn’t understand how to get a decent photo of their product in the first place? We all know someone who can’t take a photo to save their life.

Google recently launched a new product photography tool aimed at helping businesses to create their own high-quality images without the need for an “expensive” photographer. In the promotional material, it shows really clear photos for the AI to work with — perhaps ones, ironically, that were taken by a pro photographer. But will it work with terrible source photos taken by people who have no understanding of how to manipulate light, frame a photo, or even hold a camera still? I doubt it.

AI photos are dependent on real photos. The stunning images coming out of Midjourney that look like real photos exist only because there are already billions of amazing photos that look like that which the company used without the photographers’ permissions.

If people or clients or whoever want bespoke high-quality AI images that are unique, well first you need high-quality, unique photos.

Ultimately, there are things in the future that the AI will have no reference for. It will need a source and that source has to be a set of high-quality photographs taken by a trained photographer who knows what they are doing.

Personally, I see the AI and photography spaces overlapping with AI technicians relying on the work of photographers who can take high-quality images which can be used to train a model.

Better yet, photographers could become AI technicians (surely it’s not that different from photo editing work) creating more markets and economic opportunities for the talented men and women who have honed their camera skills. I certainly hope so.

Graphic Design Careers: A Complete Guide

By in Art World News

Graphic Design Careers: A Complete Guide

We see graphic design elements on everything from cereal boxes and websites to magazine ads and video games. Nearly all products you purchase and visual media you consume require some form of graphic design. Wherever you see visual images, you see graphic design.

If you’re thinking about a graphic design career, you have quite a few options available. You could work for a publishing house, an advertising agency, a video game production company, a movie production studio, a private business or in many other environments. In this article, we explore graphic design careers so you know what to expect as you consider career paths in graphic design.

Degree Finder

What Is Graphic Design?

The graphic design discipline uses art and technology to create images that communicate ideas. It brings context and emotion to text to make messages clearer and more interesting. Graphic designers use design elements to break up blocks of text, choose typefaces and colors that convey a certain feeling or look, and bring ideas to life with drawings, photos, animations and other images.

The goals of graphic design depend on the context and purpose but may include:

  • Making product packages look attractive enough to compel consumers to purchase them
  • Helping businesses build consistent brand identities
  • Creating realistic and engaging animated worlds in video games or films
  • Drawing in new customers using compelling images
  • Making websites more interesting and easier to read
  • Encouraging readers to open the cover of a book to see what’s inside
  • Displaying statistics and other information in easy-to-understand graphics

Education and Training for Careers in Graphic Design

In today’s job market, graphic design careers require both artistic ability and technical knowledge. Even if art comes naturally to you, you still need formal training for a graphic design career.

Many graphic design jobs require a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts or a related discipline. Your graphic design degree prepares you for a career in the field through courses in design principles, printing techniques, studio art, computerized design and other relevant subjects. It also provides you with opportunities to create a design portfolio, which is essential to landing graphic design jobs.

You may qualify for some jobs if you have a high school diploma with art and design coursework. Since you also need to have a portfolio and knowledge of computer software design programs, you may need additional training to compete for these jobs.

A Day in the Life in Graphic Design

Graphic design is broad and encompasses many careers, so your typical day in the field varies according to your job.

For instance, if you work in a marketing agency, you may collaborate with team members to create images for an advertising campaign. If you work for a corporation, you may be part of a marketing department that handles many types of design projects for the company. If you’re a freelancer, you may work from home and meet with clients through video calls.

Careers in Graphic Design

We sourced the salary data below from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Payscale.

Graphic Designer

Median Annual Salary: $57,990
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Graphic designers are artists who create visual images for businesses and organizations, which use these images for websites, logos, product packaging, advertisements, publications, reports or other printed or digital items. Graphic designers typically use computer software to create designs, but they may also do so by hand. They need to understand the concepts of color theory, design elements, typefaces, digital illustration and photo editing.

Graphic designers play a vital role in marketing because their designs help promote brand identity and inspire consumers to purchase products or services. Learn more with our guide on how to become a graphic designer.

Art Director

Median Annual Salary: $105,180
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Art directors determine the overall visual style and feel of movie and television productions, product packaging, live performances, video games, newspapers, magazines, and other consumer products and publications. They consider how a project’s artistic elements work together to develop a consistent look and feel.

Art directors direct and oversee the work of graphic designers, photographers, exhibit designers and other design staff members involved in creating these projects. They work in various environments, including advertising and public relations agencies, publishing firms, and movie and television production companies.

Web Designer

Median Annual Salary: $83,240
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in web design or a related field
Job Overview: Web designers may handle the front or back end of website development. Front-end developers focus on a website’s graphic elements, layout, and look and feel. Some jobs focus on digital interface design, such as working with layout, photos and brand colors, in addition to functionality issues.

Web design positions may require programming knowledge and coding skills in addition to graphic design skills. Web design professionals use graphic design principles to create beautiful, engaging and effective websites that align with a business’s vision. They may work as full-time employees or freelancers.

Special Effects Artist and Animator

Median Annual Salary: $98,950
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Special effects artists and animators often work in the film and video game industries. They use computer animation software programs, illustrations and other technology to create animations, 2-D and 3-D models, and other visual effects that give movement to images, such as scenery, characters or backgrounds.

Illustrator

Average Annual Salary: Around $54,000
Minimum Required Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Illustrators create drawings for various physical or digital purposes. They may create book cover art, book illustrations, greeting cards, product packaging or digital media. Illustrators can use traditional mediums, such as watercolors or pencils, or high-tech computer software programs. They may work at publishing houses, advertising agencies, media companies, or other businesses and organizations.

Professional Organizations for Graphic Design

It’s a good idea to check out professional organizations for graphic designers if you’re planning a graphic design career path. These organizations typically provide resources, training, support and services to help graphic designers build successful careers. Below we list a few popular organizations for graphic design and related professions.

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)

AIGA provides opportunities for networking, leadership and professional development. Members access job listings, virtual events and free tools, such as legal guides, designer toolkits and sample contracts. This organization promotes the value of design and its impact on businesses, the media and the government. AIGI also gives awards to design leaders who have made significant achievements in the field of design.

Graphic Artists Guild

The Graphic Artists Guild offers webinars, educational resources, business development support, special events, grievance assistance, contract assistance, access to affordable health insurance, and advocacy for artists at the legislative, judicial and regulatory levels. This organization serves graphic designers, illustrators, animators, web developers and creative professionals in related fields.

Society of Illustrators

The Society of Illustrators supports the art of illustration through educational programs, competitions, awards, scholarships, art exhibitions and access to job listings. Members also receive free admission to more than 600 art museums throughout the United States.

Society for News Design (SND)

SND, an international organization, serves creative news media professionals with careers in print, mobile and web publications. Members include those who design, report, illustrate, edit, write code, and create videos and photos. SND provides education and training opportunities and events, annual workshops, exhibitions, creative competitions, portfolio reviews and networking opportunities.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Graphic Design Careers

Is graphic design a good career?

If you have artistic abilities and enjoy working with technology, a career in graphic design may suit you. The graphic design field is large with many different career options.

What kind of work does a graphic designer do?

Graphic designers use a combination of art and technology to create images. These images can be used in marketing and advertising, film or video game production, websites, magazines, newspapers and other types of media.

Are graphic designers in high demand?

The BLS projects demand for graphic designers to increase by 3% from 2021 to 2031. While there may be a decrease in graphic designer jobs at print publications like newspapers and magazines, those who work with digital media, such as websites, will still see demand.

Monie Photography

By in Photography

Monie Photography

Monie Photography

I’m Monie.  A professional photographer, Brooks  graduate,owner Airship Studios & Monie Photography in Santa Barbara. My style is photojournalistic, unobtrusive & fun.

6 hours photography & digital files  1,098.00

I love photography and am grateful to photograph people, events and weddings.

 

623 De La Vista Ave.
Santa Barbara, California 93103

The Latest Nikon Anti-AI Campaign Didn’t Pay Photographers

By in Photography

The Latest Nikon Anti-AI Campaign Didn’t Pay Photographers

It was only a few days ago that we wrote about Nikon’s latest viral campaign, giving voice to our very legitimate concerns about it and the images it showcased. After all, while the Nikon Anti-AI Campaign had an astounding concept behind it, it also seemed to show an astounding lack of respect for the creators whose images form the basis for the ad. The word seemed, is used specifically in the past tense, because we uncovered quite a fascinating side of this story.

Finding the Photographers

We managed to get in touch with the photographers showcased in this Nikon AI campaign, and we asked them the following questions. Did they get any notice from either Nikon or Grey Peru? Did they get any compensation? Did they notice any effect on downloads, sales, or following?

The answers we managed to get, while not surprising in the least, were more than a bit disappointing.

What they said

None of the photographers who wrote back to us had the smallest inkling beforehand that their photos were used in such a viral campaign, and the ones who found out about it found out through social media. One of the authors, John Fowler, didn’t even know about it until we messaged him.

Of course, the fact that they had no notice at all should give you an idea of whether they received compensation or not. I don’t need to elaborate, do I?

While some photographers say that exposure helps, none of the photographers interviewed reported an uptick in their statistics, their followers, or their downloads, which makes for another interesting observation; does anybody care about the person behind the photo? Or do they think the camera does it all by itself? Further, campaigns like this have been known to not have credible statistical payoffs — which is a major contrast to the interviews that we’ve done here on the site with photographers. Several have told us over the years all the different ways that being featured on our site has helped them.

And the photographers spoke for themselves

Here are quotes from the photographers to The Phoblographer.

John Fowler

John seemed to be okay with his photos being used.

Thanks for writing. I haven’t heard from anybody recently about my photos being used. And I haven’t noticed any increase in my download stats, but I hardly ever check. In addition to Flickr, I have photos at Unsplash. All my stuff is free, with attribution, and I am happy to let Nikon or anybody else use them. I encourage it.

Andrew Svk

Andrew was a bit sad about it but accepting of it.

Hello, sure, I will gladly answer your questions. Nope, and this was a bit sad that Nikon didn’t send me any notice, I randomly found out about it on Twitter. No compensation either, but it is fine, I do not make money from photography, and images on Unsplash are free with a commercial license. I don’t see much change in engagement, despite a few journalists, including you, have contacted me with some questions.

Marco Nürnberg

Marco was also surprised by it, but didn’t mind.

Hello, thank you so much for your message!

In fact, Nikon did not contact me in any way before using my image. So there is also no compensation. But that‘s ok, I published the image under Creative Commons license. I did not notice any effects on likes etc.

A friend of mine found a article about this campaign on a german tech website by chance and called me yesterday. I was really surprised! I really can not imagine how Nikon chose my pic out of millions of others.

I did not upload any images on Flickr for a long time. My 5 year old son brought me away from landscape photography 😉

The image itself was taken in summer of 2016. Definitely not during winter season like the underline suggests 😉

Best regards, Marco.

The Problems with The Nikon Anti-AI Campaign

Nikon is a company that works to support professional photographers, and by not paying or compensating photographers for the work provided, they’ve undercut the people they’ve worked to support the most. More importantly, the company has released the new Nikon z8 to aid these photographers. It’s a camera that should’ve come out a long time ago.

This isn’t the only time that Nikon has made questionable decisions. Back in 2017, they took center stage for sexism when they didn’t choose a single woman to promote their products. Before then, they made a questionable decision about a photo choice being manipulated by Photoshop. On top of all this, consider problems around their products like the D600 and the class action lawsuits over the cameras.

This is all just the beginning, though. The Nikon Anti-AI Campaign apparently came from Nikon Peru. Immediately, anyone that didn’t know any better would paint a blanket across all of Nikon. This is important to note, as the actions of one division can affect an entire company, and it did with Canon’s sexism issues previously. As a journalist, I know that the actions of Nikon Peru wouldn’t necessarily come from America. However, they’d be approved by Japan.

After giving them a week to fully answer, Nikon USA wouldn’t provide answers to our questions on the record. The only thing that we were able to get was “…there is no Nikon Peru, there is only individual retailers and distributors in the Latin America market.” We did some research to verify this.

Nikon Peru’s website is indeed real. And if you search Nikon’s website, it states that Nikon Peru is part of their larger global network. They are not listed as a Group Company on either Nikon’s website or in PDF files.

The way that Japanese camera companies work often requires them to have their subsidiaries report back to them, ask for permission on things, etc. It makes it a very difficult process to get things done — especially when talking to the press. In a situation like this, Nikon Peru is a distributor and should’ve reported to Nikon in some way or another.

So why does Nikon not have an official presence in South America? Well, it’s often very difficult to import products there. It’s exactly why B&H Photo has a specific department dedicated to Brazil.

For the record, Nikon’s lack of answering tough questions isn’t uncommon. As the years have gone on, Japanese manufacturers have been doing this more and more. With fewer publications around, not many of us are really trained to keep the industry in check or verify statements. So instead, YouTubers tend to amplify exactly what they’re told.

The weapon of the enemy

We’ve written in-depth —and we will continue to do so— about the problems posed by Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models such as Midjourney and others, the main ones being its dependency on stolen images and the fact that it could mean a lack of work and income for human photographers.

We know that, by uploading pictures to Unsplash, you’re giving away the rights to your work. Maybe you knew about it, the way John Fowler did. Maybe you didn’t, because you were roped in a contest and couldn’t be bothered to go through the legalese. In that case, maybe it got you into legal trouble.

We also know that a small business owner using one of your free pictures as a hero image for their very local store is not at all comparable to a company such as Nikon using your picture in a campaign designed to go viral, which would undoubtedly give them not only a sizable rise in sales but also the goodwill of amateur and professional photographers needing support on their fight against generative AIs.

The photographers should’ve been, if not compensated, at least noticed before the Nikon Anti-AI Campaign was released. It’s only ethical.

There’s a comic doing the rounds on the Internet, a comic you might have seen. It shows Batman breaking a shotgun over his knee, yelling, “This is the weapon of the enemy. We don’t use it. We don’t need it.”

You don’t fight unethically sourced images by sourcing images unethically, Nikon. You just don’t.

Editor in Chief Chris Gampat provided extra reporting on this.

Reno Public Market, one of the newest location to host Artown events in July

By in Art World News

Reno Public Market, one of the newest location to host Artown events in July

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Starting with the opening parade Saturday, July 1, Artown is ready for 31 days of music, art, dance and more.

Oliver X, marketing director of Artown, Michael Mac Millan, FOH at Reno Public Market, and Joel Ackerson, one of Artown’s performers, stopped by Morning Break to get Northern Nevada hyped for what’s to com in July.

The Reno Public Market is one of the newest locations to host Artown events. For a full list of all that’s happening at RPM, click here. You can also follow RPM on Facebook and Instagram.

Joel Ackerson is best known for his role as guitarist/mandolinist and co-lead vocalist for the award-winning rock quartet, The Novelists. In a career spanning more than two decades, Joel has shared his music at over 2500 shows in 37 states and 8 countries, featuring his storyteller lyricism and intensely emotive vocals. His recorded works included 11 studio albums and 3 EPs, and 8 of his songs have been featured in international TV shows. He’ll be performing at the Reno Public Market Friday, July 30 at 6 p.m. Click here to learn more.

You can find a full list of Artown headliners, additional performers and events on its website. You can also follow Artown on Facebook and Instagram.

Copyright 2023 KOLO. All rights reserved.

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