Renee Robyn: Canada’s Beacon at the 2024 World Photography Cup
Edmonton’s digital artist, Renee Robyn, stands on the precipice of international recognition as she prepares to represent Canada at the 2024 World Photography Cup. Known for her enchanting composite artworks brought to life through fantasy inspiration, Robyn’s artistic prowess has ensured her nomination in not one, but two different categories — illustrative digital art and illustrative portrait art.
Robyn’s childhood was steeped in the realms of video games and fantasy novels. They would later serve as the springboard for her artistic endeavours. A last-minute decision to participate in the competition, encouraged by her partner and fellow artist, Curtis Jones, led her to submit five of her best works. As the judging process unfolded, four of her submissions were eliminated, leaving two images that would cement her place as Canada’s representative.
Robyn’s signature style involves photographing subjects and backgrounds separately, then meticulously layering multiple images to create the final composite artwork. One of her nominated pieces, a captivating self-portrait, features Robyn draped in a hand-sewn cape. The attention to detail is evident in the lifelike capture of the fabric’s flow, showcasing the artist’s commitment to her craft.
As the World Photography Cup inches closer, Robyn and her partner, Curtis Jones, find themselves in an unprecedented situation. Marking a first in the competition’s history, they are the first couple representing the same country in the same year, albeit in different categories. The World Photography Cup has received submissions from 42 countries, with the top 10 finalists set to be revealed at the end of January. The winners will then be announced in a grand ceremony in Texas come spring.
While the world awaits the results of the World Photography Cup, Robyn is not resting on her laurels. She is already gearing up for her next venture — the launch of her first art book slated for release in the upcoming summer. This achievement serves as testament to her relentless pursuit of artistic expression and her unwavering dedication to her craft.
CAMERON, Ariz. – Near the southern end of the Grand Canyon is a trading post where you can find the work of Native American artisans, and if you’re lucky, you might catch the artist working there, too.
Vivian Descheny is one of those artisans, and amidst the tourists and traders you can hear a sound that’s been heard for generations – rug weaving.
Vivian Descheny has been a rug weaver for 34 years, a tradition she hopes to pass along to her children and grandchildren. (Erin Cox, KSL TV)
“My grandkids really love the thump of this pattern,” Descheny said as she worked on a rug that would take her a week or so to complete.
Descheny grew up listening to the sound of rug weaving, something her grandmother passed on to her when she was 14 years old.
“She told me you don’t need a university degree, all you need is your hands, your weaving, your thoughts and your prayer,” Descheny said.
Born in Salt Lake City, Descheny later moved to Arizona and is the only remaining Navajo rug weaver at the Cameron Trading Post.
“They’re all deceased, and they didn’t really teach their children or grandchildren,” Descheny said.
Using 40 separate colors, Descheny weaves five patterns into one rug. Her pattern, known as the Burntwater weave, is one of a kind.
“All my rugs, they have a part of me,” Descheny said.
Known as the “Spiderwoman,” Descheny worries that the rug weaving tradition will not continue on with the next generations.
“These days, children are not really interested in learning the culture of weaving,” she said.
A sentiment shared by Jimmy Jensen, a Navajo silversmith at the trading post.
When he was 8 years old, Jensen discovered he could make jewelry.
“Anything that I can draw on a piece of paper without picking it up, I can make,” Jensen said. ”It’s just my hand and my trusty pliers.”
Jensen makes silver deer charms that tell the story of a 4,000-year-old talisman found in a cave near the Grand Canyon, it was originally created to help bring good luck and help his ancestors find food.
The tradition of making a silver deer was passed down by his grandfather and is one he hopes to continue.
Jimmy Jensen makes handmade jewelry, anywhere from silver hummingbirds, dragonflies, and friendship hands, to deer. (Erin Cox, KSL TV)
“That’s why I share with my kids,” Jensen said. “My kids all make the same type of jewelry.”
It’s not just about creating a livelihood from their craft or even displaying their art, but for Jensen and Descheny, it’s about preserving these traditions.
“This is what we do,” Descheny said. “You got to pass it down. Our little family has to continue.”
SUBMITTED PHOTOS – WHITE PINE MANOR PHOTO FARM – Images of the Photography Studio’s sets that can be rented for family photos. More information is available at www.whitepinemanor.com.
By IVY JACOBS
Times Co-Editor
Did you know that one of the premier photography studios is in Clay County?
SUBMITTED PHOTOS – WHITE PINE MANOR PHOTO FARM – Images of the Photography Studio’s sets that can be rented for family photos. More information is available at www.whitepinemanor.com.
White Pine Manor is a unique photo studio.
“The dream in purchasing this land was to bring back community and family memory making,” said JoAnn Wilkerson, who bought the land a few years ago for the sole purpose. I wanted to provide a place for families to make memories together. I knew this would be a perfect place.”
The 16-acre is a place to slow down and enjoy the scenic beauty of the outdoors while taking the perfect photos. Some special places include a unique glass house and numerous indoor backdrop sets featuring seasonal vintage art to create the most memorable images available for professional and novice photographers at reasonable prices.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS – WHITE PINE MANOR PHOTO FARM – Images of the Photography Studio’s sets that can be rented for family photos. More information is available at www.whitepinemanor.com.
Friends Debbie McNinch is an award-winning photographer with decades of experience, and Wilkerson works together to create the award-winning seasonal sets in “Studio 624.”
“We do these together. I get to be creative and artistic,” said McNinch, who loves helping people bring art back to photography. “JoAnn is the detail person. She gets things done.”
“It is amazing how our minds work together to get things done,” said Wilkerson, who urged McNinch to tell a story about why each set is special.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS – WHITE PINE MANOR PHOTO FARM – Images of the Photography Studio’s sets that can be rented for family photos. More information is available at www.whitepinemanor.com.
“We were poor when I was a child, but somehow, my mom saved the money to buy my first camera. She encouraged my love of photography,” said McNinch. “To honor her, I put something of my mother’s in each set.”
“Our brains just mesh so well,” said Wilkerson, explaining there are not many photo barns throughout the county.
Both women share a love of “vintage junk,” which works well when designing photography sets.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS – WHITE PINE MANOR PHOTO FARM – Images of the Photography Studio’s sets that can be rented for family photos. More information is available at www.whitepinemanor.com.
Last year, White Pine Manor was nationally recognized with a “Most Innovation” award for their photo barn.
“Each one is unique; they do their own things,” said McNinch about the outside-the-box idea. “We are kind of known.”
More than 200 photographers from throughout Indiana and a handful from outside the state have used the facilities at White Pine Manor Photo Barn for photo shoots. Many families have scheduled appointments for family photos and engagement and wedding photos throughout the year.
The mission statement of White Pine Manor is “Capture The Memory.”
the winter sets are available until the end of December, with new ones coming in January.
McNinch said it takes about two weeks to tear down and put new ideas together.
“The new sets should be available mid-January,” said Wilkerson. “People can check Facebook (White Pines Manor photo farm) for details.”
More information is available at www.whitepinemanor.com.
NEW DELHI: BRYT India, a pioneer in cutting-edge technology, has set a new benchmark in photography solutions with the unveiling of its latest products–the SD Card V90 and CFX Cards. Designed with professional photographers in mind, these state-of-the-art cards offer unprecedented speed and reliability for capturing high-resolution images and 4K videos.
BRYT India has emerged as a leading brand in India’s memory and storage industries, celebrated for its range of high-grade memory solutions. The company’s focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has propelled it to the top 10 brands in the country. With a comprehensive product lineup, including SSDs, pen drives, DRAM, micro-SD, and IC, Bryt India ensures customers receive reliable, durable, and high-performing products.
SD Card V90 USH II: The SD Card V90, available in capacities ranging from 64GB to 512GB, boasts an impressive Read Speed of 300 and Write Speed of 300. Ideal for professionals seeking swift data transfer capabilities, this card ensures unparalleled performance.
CFX Cards: With a Read Speed of 1900 and Write Speed of 1800, the CFX Cards, also available in capacities from 64GB to 512GB, are tailored for professional photographers engaged in wedding and high intensity shooting scenarios. These cards provide the speed and capacity required for a seamless workflow. Ideal for Professional Photographers: Meticulously crafted to meet the specific needs of professional photographers, the SD Card V90 and CFX Cards excel in wedding photography and high need shooting situations, delivering the performance and reliability that photographers demand.
Strengthens Bryt’s Photo Channel Lineup: The launch of the SD Card V90 and CFX Cards reinforces Bryt India’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for the photography community. This expansion solidifies Bryt India’s position as a leader in the photography technology space. (ANI)
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Portrait photography is a great passion of mine. Ever since flicking through the photography books of great portrait photographers such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Gordon Parks, and Arnold Newman, I have appreciated the skill it takes to capture another through the lens. This inspired me to forge a career by doing the same.
Every photographer is different in their approach, and I have learned to appreciate that this is not always aligned with my own – which is a great thing!
As social media has become a larger part of my job, I am always on the lookout for great portrait photographers to follow for inspiration, and I have compiled a list of 10 that do just that in the hopes it may do the same for you. The majority of these photographers are not solely ‘portrait photographers’, they may be documentary or fashion-focused, but capturing people is a large part of their practice.
The list below is comprised of photographers at various stages of their careers, some high profile and some in the process of blazing their path, but all are extremely talented.
Stephan Vanfleteren is a photographer whom I have followed for many years and who produces incredible portraits. His social media features a wide range of portrait subjects, some well-known faces and some unknown, but you are unable to tell the difference as they are all captured with the same character.
His latest book Altelier, features 12 years of work captured in his home studio and is a masterclass in studio portrait work – I highly recommend it!
Camila Falquez is a US-based artist. The use of bold punchy painted colors has seen her work grace the covers of many renowned publications and she has developed a unique and recognizable style.
Carmuega’s work blends fashion and portraiture, with the same characteristic style. His work photographing gauchos in Argentina is an exquisite body of work that has been recently published into a book titled Doma.
Pie Aerts a.k.a @because.people.matter on Instagram, travels the world capturing portraits of native people. His approach and execution enable authentic portraits of authentic people and provide a glimpse into their world. He also integrates moving portraits, which offer another dimension to his already exceptional work.
Roman Jehanno is a master of the environmental portrait, providing the viewer with a lot of information in each image. By combining natural and artificial light seamlessly, he has developed a signature style throughout his work.
UK-based Karina Barberis is establishing herself as a portrait photographer who captures beautiful portraits on film. Whether photographs of her family or strangers, she can capture incredibly intimate portraits that connect with the viewer.
Laura Pannack has an amazing ability to capture representational narratives with her portraiture, which is evident in her recent photography book – Youth Without Age and Life Without Death.
Max Miechowski photographs portraits with a documentarian approach, photographing people to enhance the story. His recent book Land Loss, follows the artist’s deep interest in the British landscape, exploring themes of time, community, and resilience, capturing its people within the land.
Szilveszter Makó creates stunning painterly studio portraits that are both high concept and unique. When this is paired with fantastic subjects like his recent shoot with actor Willem Defoe, it’s magic!
Dan Winters is a photographer whom I have admired for a long time and is one of the most recognized portrait photographers working today. Often capturing some of the world’s most famous faces, his location and studio work seamlessly intertwine due to his masterful lighting skills. The use of tone, design, and connection with the subject is a tour de force – a true master at the craft!
So here is my list of 10! There are many more that would have made an even linger list, but I feel these picks offer something for everyone and I hope that at least one can inspire you as they do me.
For more information regarding what equipment we recommend for portrait photography, see our guides on the best camera for portraits, and the best lens for portrait photography.
