For just about all of her 17 years, La Jolla High School senior Sophie Boxwala has been passionate about animals. As she grew older, that developed into wanting to help them any way she could.

When she took up photography as a pre-teen, she combined the two passions and now runs her own fundraising initiative.

To date, she has raised and given more than $1,400 through Pet Photos by Sophie, a project in which she takes pictures of pets for donations. She suggests a minimum contribution of $60 per pet and gives the money to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas or another animal sanctuary of the client’s choice.

“It really makes me happy to know that I’m contributing to a good cause in a way that combines my passions for animals and photography,” she said. “It’s been a great and rewarding learning experience. I’m extremely grateful.”

Sophie took up photography in seventh grade, and that summer, she went to an event at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society and asked if she could volunteer or lend her burgeoning photography skills to the organization.

As a preliminary project, she took photos of kittens that were available for adoption so they could be put on the Humane Society website. “I was still learning, so it helped me build my skills,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to put in the time and practice and help animals in the process.”

La Jolla High School senior and pet photographer Sophie Boxwala is the founder of Pet Photos by Sophie.

(Provided by Sophie Boxwala)

But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and opportunities for community service were reduced, she could not continue her volunteer effort.

“I still wanted to be able to help them, so I brainstormed another way and came up with this project to raise money for them,” Sophie said.

When she launched Pet Photos by Sophie last summer, she started with friends, family members and neighbors.

“My first customer was my neighbor who has a poodle named George,” Sophie said.

From there, word started to spread. She launched a website and more and more people started to contact her for her services.

However, Sophie said she takes fewer clients during the school year and schedules more sessions for summer break.

She revved up the project this summer and returned to volunteering at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society to take photos of fundraisers and other events. She donated two photo sessions as prizes for a raffle.

“Most professional pet photos cost hundreds of dollars, but [this is] a way to get them for less while helping other animals in the process,” she said.

The majority of her photos have been of dogs, though she has had two sessions with cats. The results have been “some of my favorite photos I have ever done,” she said.

“The dogs are always frisky and can be hard to photograph, but cats are sometimes a little more still and their eyes are very colorful and beautiful. I grew up practicing my photography on my cats, so it was nice to shoot other people’s cats.”

The key with dogs, she said with a laugh, is “lots of patience and lots of trial and error. You have to take so many shots. I’ll take hundreds of photos with the hopes of getting some good ones. Dogs move around a lot, so you have to take the photos really fast. And then you get to search for the treasure. … It’s a great experience for me.”

Client Linda Kao said it was a great experience for her as well.

Kao, a local author, had Sophie take photos of her dog, Kylo. “She brought such excellent energy, patience and professionalism throughout the entire session,” Kao said. “Her love of animals is apparent. Kylo usually isn’t fond of strangers, but he adored her!

“Sophie managed to capture his playful spirit, tossing a ball with him while snapping pictures, and she showcased his quieter moments as well. His close-ups are sweet and thoughtful, and I think she did a fantastic job.”

Sophie said she will continue to accept new clients until she goes to college next fall. Learn more at petphotosbysophie.com.

People in Your Neighborhood shines a spotlight on notable locals we all wish we knew more about. If you know someone you’d like us to profile, send an email to robert.vardon@lajollalight.com. ◆

The original Panasonic G9 was quite a revolutionary camera. Built around a modern and intimidatingly professional-looking body, the G9 featured blazing-fast burst rates, an exceptionally good EVF, and motion-compensated multi-shot mode. However, it has been seven years since the G9 launch — a long time to wait for a successor.

The wait has felt even longer than usual because, in those seven years, Panasonic has steadily pushed its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) line of cameras in an increasingly video-centric direction. So, when Panasonic told me that the G9 II had finally arrived and it had been made for photographers, I was eager to play with it.

Panasonic G9 II: A New Face for 2023

The first thing I noticed was that at least in the looks department, nothing of the original G9 DNA seems to have been carried over. In fact, the G9 II can be easily mistaken for the S5 II as the body design is nearly identical. That’s not a bad thing since I like the new direction Panasonic has taken its cameras in. Handling-wise, the dials are easy to access with a proper autofocus joystick and even an extra customizable button near the lens mount.

One thing I am sad to see go away is the excellent EVF from the original G9. It may have been a modest 3.69 million dots but it had a remarkable 0.83x magnification factor which everyone noticed when bringing the camera up to the eye for the first time. The prevailing perception at the time was that MFT cameras were toy-like and the G9 EVF went a long way towards dispelling that myth. Sadly, the G9 II is sporting a similar 3.69 million dot EVF, yet with a reduced 0.78X magnification. To keep things in context this is a perfectly serviceable and effective EVF for a modern camera from 2023, but I can’t help but feel like something is missing, which didn’t need to be.

Panasonic G9 II: Take a Look Under the Hood

At the heart of the G9 II, we have some major changes, three of which I want to focus on here.

The first thing that has to be mentioned is the outfitting of all new Panasonic cameras with its latest phase-detect-based hybrid autofocus. Sadly, the GH6 came out a little too soon to benefit, so the G9 II is the first MFT camera from Panasonic to gain this powerful AF system. Animal and Human subject detection both work very effectively, not only on eyes but also torso recognition, too. Even in video, the AF was predictable and snappy. This is certainly a camera that can be relied upon to focus where you want it the vast majority of the time. We also get access to motorcar and motorcycle subject detection as well.

The in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS) has also been improved and Panasonic now claims up to eight stops of stabilization. This is a system that should put it on par with OM System cameras and its class-leading technology. Even with lenses that already have optical image stabilization built-in, the G9 II will assist in giving 7.5 stops of shake reduction. This should be the most stable platform to date for shooting low-light situations and wildlife with extreme telephotos.

Lastly, we have the 25-megapixel sensor which seems very similar to the one in the GH6. This isn’t necessarily a good thing, because the GH6 has a very strange trait whereby it has typical dynamic range and noise characteristics at 800 ISO or higher, but way more noise and loss of detail at lower ISOs. Exactly where you weren’t expecting — or wanting — there to be noisy shadows. Because of the pre-production nature of our test sample we can’t definitively say that the G9 II has solved this issue. However, we did process identical compositions on both the G9 II and GH6 by using the respective cameras’ internal raw processing. We noticed marked improvements to the image quality of the G9 II at ISOs from base, up to 800. This makes us very hopeful for the future when we get to test this fully when the camera is officially on the market.

Panasonic G9 II: Video Which Gives the GH6 a Run for its Money.

The G9 II gives a very similar array of video recording modes to the GH6, especially for a model that is aimed at photographers. The lack of CF Express as a media option does require ProRes video at 4K or higher to be recorded to an ungainly external SSD. This isn’t that big of a detriment, though, as the H.265 compression which can be recorded to the twin SD card slots is, in most cases, all you’ll ever need. We were also particularly impressed with the over-sampled 4K 120p slow motion capture, which held onto a good amount of detail, and the 5.8K open-gate recording which is the same as the GH6.

In many ways, the G9 II actually surpasses the GH6. I’ve already mentioned the better phase detect AF in video, but we also get a lower base ISO of 500 down from 2,000, which is much easier to deal with. The GH6 does have an integrated fan which helps it dissipate heat and this is absent in the G9. However, even without the aid of a fan, the only situation we could really get the G9 II to overheat in was 4K 120p, and it still went for an excellent 26 minutes at room temperature.

Overall the G9 II proves to be an incredibly capable video camera with some improvements over the videocentric GH6. For a camera that is intended largely for photography, it sure does look, smell, and feel like a video tool.

Panasonic G9 II: Watch Our Initial Video Review

There are so many other improvements worth noting on the G9 II like the new Leica Monochrome profile and impressive burst rates that this camera brings to the table. Please have a look at our initial review (above) to get a more complete picture of our thoughts about this new camera.

Panasonic has waited a while to release the successor to the G9 but it certainly did the reputation of this excellent camera justice. Our only real confusion about the new G9 II is that it isn’t being marketed as a powerful hybrid photo/video platform. Perhaps it is to protect the GH6 and its place in the lineup somewhat. Whatever the reason, the G9 II seems to be a very full-featured tool worth taking a serious look at. I myself can’t wait to get a full production unit in my hands to really see if the image quality is improved over the GH6. That really is the big question that needs solving to firmly cement the G9 II as the preeminent micro 4/3rds camera for photo applications.

The winning photos of the 2023 Siena Creative Photo Awards celebrating artistic photography have been released by the renowned Siena Awards festival of visual arts. and they are a remarkable recognition to visionary artists using photographic processes and images.

Under the title “I Wonder If You Can,” this year’s contest challenged photo artists to communicate with the world and share their vision and skills via original works that push the photographic medium and experiment with different techniques or creative approaches.

“In this competition, everyone is free to use any technique. Only the final effect counts,” the organizers explain. “We break all the rules, and we want you to break them with us by creating new trends in art.”

‘Aesthetics from Africa’ (below) by Chinese photographer Frank Zhang, honoring global aesthetic diversity and beauty, won the 2023 overall prize.

The competition attracted photographers from 133 countries, and all the winning images across nine categories will be showcased at the exhibition ‘I Wonder If You Can’ that will take place at Siena’s Palazzo Pubblico in the heart of Piazza del Campo, Italy.

Overall Winner

The world of beauty has witnessed the celebration of diverse aesthetics. For a long time, the fashion industry’s perception of beauty was seen through a Eurocentric lens. However, in recent times African American model and influencer Sonia Barbie Tucker, originally from Ghana, has been showcasing the rich and vibrant aesthetics of Africa.

Category Winners

The photo was taken in 2022 using the “Haruhisa camera,” which was designed and built by the Japanese photographer Haruhisa Terasaki. “It is a great honor for me to have the opportunity to use this camera,” Iwona Czubek said. Terasaki is known for his unique method of photographing, which he refers to as new pictorialism. This image is projected onto a dry plate and captured with a digital camera.

“I aimed to capture the elegant movement of a horse in a free rein jump, experiencing the sensation of the snow beneath its feet and its inherent desire for freedom, much like humans yearn for it,” said Lurdes Santander. “This moment was extraordinary, and I persisted through several attempts on my camera to find that elusive shot, a challenge many photographers face.”

The girl with ebony skin frees herself from the chains, and some of them remain attached to her, as she escapes. In the gesture of liberation, the shapes of her hairstyle and neck take on elongated forms.

Capturing this image took patience and perseverance. It started with the search for a single tree amidst a lavender field at sunset. Then the wait for the night sky to unveil its beauty. Combined with a second, long exposure, the light invisible to the naked eye, revealing a truly enchanted world.

“I captured this photo during a beautiful summer wedding in the red wine region of Germany,” said Steven Herrschaft. “The majestic castle on the hill was stunning, and the moment I captured was fleeting yet magical. Sometimes, as a photographer, you need to be in the right place at the right time to create art.”

The Capital Gate Tower in Abu Dhabi was captured in a unique moment from a moving bus. “As we traveled on the highway during late afternoon,” Frank Loddenkemper recalled, “the sun’s rays cast a mesmerizing glow, creating the perfect lighting for the shot.

Featuring a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing from 1955, this photograph was captured at the private collection of Museum METROPOLE Druten in the Netherlands. It prompts us to ponder how humankind would have been and still be without the presence of the natural treasures that inspire us to dream and surpass our limits.

A surreal black-and white photo-art piece featuring several female models whimsically blending together to form a skull. Symbolizing the defiance of mortality, the composition conveys a powerful message of unity in the face of death, evoking reflection and challenging perceptions.

The subject is the conflation of woman and home. A lone woman is surrounded by her domestic objects, activities, and obsessions. The still-life narratives created in the studio for the camera comment on the mania of collecting, accumulating, and decorating a home. In the series, the woman is overwhelmed by her possessions, leading to disaster and mayhem. “Growing up in suburbia provided the basis of my work,” said Patty Carroll. “I photographically create worlds that critique and satirize claustrophobic expectations of perfection that women continue to face, despite contemporary life and careers.”

Category Finalists

“The idea was to take a photo of a pink cocktail in a playful and fun way,” said Elena Otvodenko. “For this, I used complementary colours and props to accentuate the beauty of the drink and its colour and freshness.

All the Open Theme winning photos here.

Djaxx, is a sphynx cat “with an attitude, but very willing to pose under my studio light,” said Pieter Clicteur. “I used one flash light, placed just above his head (butterfly light, as they call it) to emphasize the wrinkles on his head. He looks mean, but he isn’t.”

“The title comes from the fact that, like most Border Collies, my puppy too has a Psycho face,” said Alessia Monaco. “It is a composition of several shots, in this case seven, then joined with the support of Photoshop.”

All the Animals and Pets category’ photos here

“Tree of Life” depicts a solitary old tree on the horizon of undulating South Moravian fields, accompanied by a flock of birds. The composition, created from photographs, evokes the cycle of life and its phases, representing youthful vigor to the serene tranquility of wise old age.

According to legend, the ghost of the Gray Lady haunts the tree-lined avenue located in Ballymoney, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It seems that a mysterious woman appears among the trees at sunset, slips silently along the road and vanishes near the last beech tree.

The winners of the Nature and Landscape category are here

All the winners of the People category here.

Humans are like puppets. With their hands and feet and their intellect, they have been plundered and commanded. They have nightmares, create nightmares and become nightmares.

Here are all the winners of the Fine Art category.

Featuring a Jaguar xk150 Cabrio 1958, photographed at the private collection of Museum Metropole Druten, the Netherlands. How would humankind be, and have been, without the natural treasures that make us dream and exceed beyond our limits?

For all the winners of the Advertising category go here.

Haldi ceremony is a traditional pre-wedding ritual in India where turmeric paste is applied on the bride and groom’s bodies. It symbolizes purification, beautification, and the auspicious beginning of their journey together. Here, the groom’s friends cover him in turmeric water.

For all the winners of the Wedding category go here.

The picture showcases a colonnade in a residential area. Light and color enhance the space, create accents and rhythm, and bring balance to the structure. Without these elements, neither space nor architecture would be perceptible. “I used the bird as an eye-catching detail to draw attention,” said Margit Lisa Roeder.

Here are all the winners of the Architecture category

Here are all the winners of the Series category.