From Amateur to Pro: Mastering Smartphone Photography with Clever Hacks

From Amateur to Pro: Mastering Smartphone Photography with Clever Hacks

In the age of instant gratification and social media dominance, smartphones have become our go-to tools for capturing life’s precious moments. But who says stunning photography requires bulky DSLRs and expensive lenses? With a little know-how and some clever hacks, your smartphone can transform into a powerful creative device, capable of producing captivating images that rival those taken with professional equipment.

Smartphone Photography Hacks: Capture Stunning Photos Without Fancy Gear

Huawei Mate 60 Pro Plus Debut - Best camera phone

Mastering the Fundamentals:

Before diving into creative hacks, let’s revisit the photography basics. These pillars will serve as the foundation for your smartphone photography journey:

1. Composition:

  • Rule of Thirds: Imagine a grid dividing your frame into nine equal squares. Place your subject at the intersection points or along the grid lines for a more balanced and pleasing composition.

  • Leading Lines: Use natural elements like roads, fences, or rivers to draw the viewer’s eye into the frame and towards your subject.

  • Negative Space: Embrace empty space around your subject to create a sense of breathing room and emphasize its importance.

2. Lighting:

  • Natural Light: Whenever possible, prioritize natural light for its soft, flattering qualities. Golden hour, just before sunrise or sunset, is a photographer’s golden time!
  • Diffused Light: Avoid harsh sunlight that creates unwanted shadows and blown-out highlights. Shoot through clouds, leaves, or a sheer curtain for softer illumination.
  • Play with Shadows: Shadows can add depth and intrigue to your photos. Experiment with different angles and light sources to create interesting shadow patterns.

3. Editing:

  • Embrace Apps: Free and paid editing apps like Snapseed, VSCO Cam, and Lightroom Mobile offer powerful tools to enhance your photos. Adjust exposure, contrast, white balance, and apply creative filters.
  • Selective Edits: Don’t edit the entire image! Use tools like brushes and gradients to target specific areas for adjustments, leaving others untouched for a natural look.
  • Presets: Presets can be a great starting point, but remember to tweak them to fit your specific image and avoid the over-edited look.

Smartphone Photography Hacks:

Now, let’s get creative! Here are some handy hacks to elevate your smartphone photography game:

1. Manual Mode:

Ditch the auto mode and explore your phone’s manual settings. Adjust parameters like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture for greater control over exposure, depth of field, and motion blur. This opens up a world of creative possibilities!

2. External Lenses:

Clip-on lenses like wide-angle, macro, and telephoto can expand your phone’s capabilities. Capture breathtaking landscapes, intricate close-ups, or distant subjects with ease.

3. DIY Hacks:

  • Reflector: Use a white piece of paper or cardboard to bounce light onto your subject and fill in shadows.
  • Diffuser: Soften harsh sunlight with a translucent fabric like tissue paper stretched over a lens ring.
  • Tripod: A mini tripod ensures stability for low-light shots or long exposures, minimizing camera shake.

Showcasing Stunning Smartphone Photography:

These incredible photos taken with smartphones demonstrate the power of these techniques and hacks:

  • Minimalist Landscapes: Capture the grandeur of nature with clean compositions and muted tones.

  • Dramatic Portraits: Use selective focus and warm lighting to create impactful portraits that tell a story.

  • Macro Magic: Explore the hidden world of tiny details with macro lenses or DIY close-up techniques.

  • Creative Long Exposures: Turn flowing water, moving cars, or starry skies into dreamy abstractions with slow shutter speeds.

Remember:

  • Practice Makes Perfect: The more you shoot, the more you’ll hone your skills and discover your unique style. Experiment, break the rules, and have fun!
  • Don’t Be Afraid to Edit: Editing is an essential part of the creative process. Use it to enhance your photos, not mask imperfections.
  • Find Inspiration: Follow talented smartphone photographers on social media and draw inspiration from their work.

With a little dedication and these helpful hacks, your smartphone can become your gateway to a world of stunning photography. So, grab your phone, step outside, and start capturing the beauty that surrounds you!

Bonus Tip: Share your amazing smartphone photography with the world! Use relevant hashtags on social media to connect with other enthusiasts and showcase your talent.

Smartphone Photography Hacks: Decoding the Magic Behind Stunning Shots

iPhone 15 camera

In our hyper-connected world, smartphones have become the ultimate pocket-sized studios, empowering us to capture life’s fleeting moments with ease. But transforming these snapshots into captivating images that hold our gaze and ignite emotions requires more than just tapping the shutter button. It’s an intricate dance between understanding the fundamentals of photography and injecting innovative hacks to push the boundaries of what our little rectangles can achieve.

Beyond the Basics: Unpacking the Composition Arsenal

While mastering the rule of thirds, leading lines, and negative space is crucial, let’s delve deeper into the composition toolbox. Embrace symmetry and patterns for a sense of order and harmony. Utilize foreground elements to frame your subject and add depth. Experiment with unusual angles to break the mold and challenge the viewer’s perspective. Remember, composition isn’t a rigid set of rules; it’s a guiding force to orchestrate a visual symphony.

Lighting: From Master Painter to Smartphone Sorcerer

Natural light reigns supreme, but understanding how to harness and manipulate it elevates your game. Golden hour’s warm glow bathes your subject in a dreamy aura, while diffused light through clouds or foliage softens harsh shadows. Don’t shy away from playing with shadows as they add texture and drama. Unravel the science of shutter speed and aperture to control light sensitivity and blur motion for dynamic effects.

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Editing: From Captured Pixels to Storytelling Palette

Editing isn’t a cover-up operation; it’s the final brushstroke on your photographic masterpiece. Leverage apps like Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile to adjust exposure, contrast, and white balance for a polished look. Selective edits reveal hidden details and enhance specific areas without affecting the entire image. Remember, subtlety is key. Over-editing can turn your photo into a digital Frankenstein’s monster.

Hacks: Weaponizing Your Smartphone Arsenal

Now, let’s unleash the full potential of your smartphone with some ingenious hacks:

  • Manual Mode: Ditch the autopilot and take control of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. It’s like learning to drive stick shift – challenging but rewarding!
  • External Lenses: Macro lenses reveal a hidden world of intricate details, while telephoto lenses bring distant subjects closer. Wide-angle lenses? Panoramic landscapes, here we come!
  • DIY Diffuser: Tame harsh sunlight with a tissue paper diffuser for softer, more flattering illumination.
  • Tripod Magic: Steady those shaky hands with a mini tripod. Low-light shots and long exposures become a breeze.

Showcasing the Power of Creativity:

These stunning smartphone photographs paint a vivid picture of what’s possible:

  • Minimalist Landscapes: Breathtaking mountain ranges captured with clean lines and muted tones evoke a sense of awe.
  • Dramatic Portraits: Selective focus and warm lighting highlight piercing eyes and soulful expressions, drawing the viewer into the story.
  • Macro Magic: Dewdrops clinging to spiderwebs or the intricate veins of a leaf reveal a hidden world of wonder.
  • Long Exposure Poetry: Silky waterfalls or streaking city lights become mesmerizing dreamscapes with slow shutter speeds.

Unlocking Your Artistic Fingerprint:

Remember, practice is your passport to photographic bliss. Experiment, break the rules, and embrace the journey of discovery. Find inspiration in the works of acclaimed smartphone photographers, but don’t be afraid to carve your own artistic path. Share your creations with the world, using relevant hashtags to connect with like-minded individuals and build a community.

The Takeaway: A Symphony of Light and Story

Your smartphone is not just a device; it’s a gateway to capturing the beauty that surrounds you. With a blend of technical know-how, creative hacks, and a passionate spirit, you can transform fleeting moments into lasting memories that sing, whisper, and roar with emotion. So, grab your phone, step into the light, and start composing your own photographic symphony!

Smartphone Photography Hacks: Unleash Your Inner Photo Maestro

Huawei P60 Pro camera

Ready to transform your smartphone from a pocket accessory to a powerful creative tool? Let’s dive into some essential tips and tricks to capture stunning photos, even without fancy equipment.

Composition Mastery:

  • Rule of Thirds: Imagine your frame divided into nine equal squares. Place your subject at the intersecting points or along the grid lines for a balanced and pleasing composition.
  • Leading Lines: Use natural elements like roads, fences, or rivers to guide the viewer’s eye into the frame and towards your subject.
  • Minimalism: Embrace negative space around your subject for a sense of breathing room and emphasize its importance.

Lighting Wizardry:

  • Natural Light: Prioritize soft, flattering natural light whenever possible. Golden hour, just before sunrise or sunset, is your ally!
  • Diffused Light: Avoid harsh sunlight that creates unwanted shadows. Shoot through clouds, leaves, or a sheer curtain for softer illumination.
  • Shadow Play: Shadows can add depth and intrigue. Experiment with different angles and light sources to create interesting shadow patterns.

Editing: The Finishing Touch:

  • Embrace Apps: Free apps like Snapseed, VSCO Cam, and Lightroom Mobile offer powerful tools to enhance your photos. Adjust exposure, contrast, white balance, and apply creative filters.
  • Selective Edits: Don’t edit the entire image! Use tools like brushes and gradients to target specific areas for adjustments, leaving others untouched for a natural look.
  • Presets: Presets can be a great starting point, but remember to tweak them to fit your specific image and avoid the over-edited look.

Smartphone Photography Hacks:

  • Go Manual: Ditch the auto mode and explore your phone’s manual settings. Adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture for greater control over exposure, depth of field, and motion blur.
  • External Lenses: Clip-on lenses like wide-angle, macro, and telephoto can expand your phone’s capabilities. Capture breathtaking landscapes, intricate close-ups, or distant subjects with ease.
  • DIY Hacks:
    • Reflector: Use a white piece of paper or cardboard to bounce light onto your subject and fill in shadows.
    • Diffuser: Soften harsh sunlight with a translucent fabric like tissue paper stretched over a lens ring.
    • Tripod: A mini tripod ensures stability for low-light shots or long exposures, minimizing camera shake.

Remember:

  • Practice Makes Perfect: Experiment, break the rules, and have fun! The more you shoot, the more you’ll hone your skills and discover your unique style.
  • Don’t Fear Editing: Editing is an essential part of the creative process. Use it to enhance your photos, not mask imperfections.
  • Find Inspiration: Follow talented smartphone photographers on social media and draw inspiration from their work.

With dedication and these helpful hacks, your smartphone can become a gateway to stunning photography. So, grab your phone, step outside, and start capturing the beauty that surrounds you!

Bonus Tip: Share your amazing smartphone photography with the world! Use relevant hashtags on social media to connect with other enthusiasts and showcase your talent.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

My Friend Lanre review – loving portrait of a sensitive, self-destructive photographer

My Friend Lanre review – loving portrait of a sensitive, self-destructive photographer
image

Back in the 90s, Lanre Fehintola was a talented photojournalist who got hooked on heroin and crack while photographing addicts in Bradford. He started dealing, served time in prison, but never gave up on photography. “It saved my life,” he says in this raw, affectionate documentary directed by his friend Leo Regan from more than 25 years of footage. It’s Regan’s third film about Fehintola – and it’s easy to see what keeps him coming back. As a young man, Fehintola had such life force, such energy; a personality of extremes, he was self-destructive and sensitive, completely intoxicating.

This film begins with Fehintola in the present day, processing his recent diagnosis of lung cancer. Doctors have given him six months to live. “It is what is, Leo” he grins at the camera, charisma still cranked up past 10. Back in the 90s, the pair of them were young idealistic reportage photographers knocking around London. They took Robert Capa’s mantra to heart: “If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” Fehintola went back to Bradford where he grew up to photograph addicts. Naive or reckless, with no fear for his own safety, he started taking hard drugs – for research purposes, he says. “I never intended to become an addict.”

The truth feels more complicated. Fehintola was raised by strict parents; a troubled kid, he ended up in a children’s home, where he fought against racism and authority. The story of his life unfolds unfiltered. Fehintola is very good company – even when he is going cold turkey in his flat. It’s 1999 and he asks his mate Errol to keep guard while he detoxes, to stop him giving into temptation. A few days in, he’s pacing round the living room, begging to get out and score; at one point he even threatens to call the police, which has him and Errol giggling. It’s a warmer, gentler film than it sounds on paper.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport opens hip-hop photography exhibit

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport opens hip-hop photography exhibit

Nieuport Aviation, in partnership with Toronto-based photographer Ajani Charles, has unveiled the Project T-Dot exhibit in the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Project T-Dot is the largest art installation ever at the airport and depicts candid images of Toronto’s most renowned hip-hop figures, as well as many others who are lesser-known but influential in Toronto’s hip-hop scene, providing travelers with the opportunity to engage with the culture of the city as they pass through Billy Bishop Airport.

Passengers traveling through Billy Bishop Airport will be greeted with 60 large-scale photographic panels in the terminal’s atrium alongside an interactive touchscreen where they can learn more about Toronto’s hip-hop culture, community and history by exploring engaging supplementary information.

Project T-Dot will be on display at the airport for the duration of 2024. In keeping with the interactive nature of the exhibit, travelers are encouraged to share their own thoughts and experiences of the art on social media using the hashtag #projecttdot.

Project T-Dot, which premiered at Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square in 2022, presents a definitive visual story that sheds new light on the city’s hip-hop scene and features instantly recognizable subjects such as Drake, The Weeknd, Director X, Kardinal Offishall, Jessie Reyez, Jully Black, Master T, Maestro Fresh Wes, and organizations like The Remix Project, Honey Jam, Manifesto Community Projects, October’s Very Own, and MuchMusic, among many others.

Reflecting the diversity of the hip-hop subculture, the exhibit features members of the 2SLGBTQ+, black and indigenous communities, women, youth from equity-deserving neighborhoods, recent immigrants and other marginalized groups.

“As the owner and operator of the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Airport, Nieuport Aviation is committed to not only playing a vital role in connecting travelers to the places they want to be, but also to connecting our neighbors and travelers Toronto’s vibrant culture,” said Neil Pakey, president and CEO of Nieuport Aviation. “We’re pleased to be partnering with a talent like Ajani Charles to present this one-of-a-kind exhibit to our valued passengers, employees and community members.”

“We are honoured to be joining our partners Nieuport Aviation in unveiling Project T-Dot at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. This large-scale installation reflects Toronto’s vibrant hip-hop culture and the contributions of some of this city’s most renowned figures on the scene,” added RJ Steenstra, president and CEO of PortsToronto.

“Thank you to Nieuport Aviation and the City of Toronto for bringing this interactive, engaging artwork to the terminal where it will be accessible to both passengers and the public, helping to bring people together, generate conversation and make the important connections that we strive to make at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport even deeper.”

“I have dedicated 18 years of my life and a significant part of my consciousness to documenting the inspiring, talented, resourceful, and diverse individuals and organizations that define Toronto’s unique hip-hop culture, community, and history,” commented photographer Ajani Charles. “I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce the general public and millions of travelers to one of Toronto’s most influential subcultures through my latest exhibit at Billy Bishop Airport. I’d like to thank Nieuport Aviation, PortsToronto, Sony Music Entertainment Canada, and other dedicated partners like the City of Toronto, Canon Canada and the Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival.”

Read more of the latest displays and signage updates from the passenger terminal industry, here.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Review

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Review

Introduction

The Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is a fast telephoto prime lens for Nikon’s extensive range of Z-series mirrorless cameras.

It’s primarily intended for use with professional Z-series full-frame cameras like the Z9 and Z8, but is also compatible with Nikon’s APS-C camera range too, where the effective focal length would be 202.5mm.

Designated with the “S” moniker, lenses in this line are designed for ultimate sharpness (hence the S).

The lens construction for the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena includes 16 elements in 14 groups, including 4 ED, 1 aspherical and 1 SR elements plus elements with with meso-amorphous and ARNEO coatings. 

Nikon claims that this lens is incredibly sharp from edge to edge, produces perfectly circular bokeh, and with its f/1.8 maximum aperture is ideally designed for low-light shooting.

The lens is completely dust and moisture sealed. There are 11 diaphragm blades which are designed to help produce attractive out of focus areas.

Portrait photography is the obvious kind of subject for an 135mm lens, but it’s also something you could consider for other subjects including pet photography, still life photography, street photography and wedding photography.

The Nikon Z 135mmf/1.8 S Plena lens is available now priced at £2699 / $2499 in the UK and USA, respectively.

This lens was first announced in September 2023. It is designed in Japan and made in Thailand.

Ease of Use

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is one of the larger prime lenses in the Z series.

It’s probably not one you’d want to consider as an “everyday” or “walk around” lens, but more for specific shooting requirements or events, such as portraits, weddings and so on.

At 995g / 2lb 3.1oz, it’s slightly lighter than the comparable Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens, and measuring 98mm x 139.5mm (3.9in. x 5.5in.) (diameter / length), it’s slightly smaller too.

Having said all of that, though, it still balances fairly well with full-frame cameras in the Z series – we’ve been using it with the Zf, but it would also work even better with the Z8 and Z9.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Although it will fit on the Nikon Z APS-C models, the smaller size of those cameras would make it very front-heavy and generally unwieldy to use.

Similarly to the other lenses in this line-up, build construction is very high quality, with a metal lens mount.

To attach the lens to your camera, you first need to line up the white dot around the base of the lens to the white dot on the lens mount.

Once you’ve done that, twist it to lock into place. When you want to release the lens, you need to push down the button at the side of the lens mount and twist in the opposite direction.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Like most Z mount lenses, the outward construction is fairly simple and straightforward. Towards the base you have the focal length and aperture written (135 / 1.8 S), while just next to it is a switch for moving between autofocus and manual focus. When working in autofocus, you can still manually override the focus if necessary.

A thin, ridged ring sits towards the base of the lens. This is a control ring which can be set to a few different functions via the main menu.

It will have a default option, for example adjusting aperture in aperture priority, but you can also assign it to exposure compensation or ISO sensitivity if you prefer.

You can even set it to have function whatsoever, which might be helpful if you were worried about accidentally knocking it and changing a setting.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

At the centre of the lens, you have two more controls that are typically only found on Nikon’s more expensive, premium-end Z series lenses, namely some customisable L-Fn buttons.

Unlike the control dial, the L-Fn buttons can be assigned to a far greater range of controls, including metering, switching on raw, zooming into the scene (to check for focus), playback and much more. Again, you can also have them set to “none” if you prefer.

Strangely, there’s no OLED display window on this lens, as found on the comparable 50mm f/1.2, where it usefully displays either the aperture or focusing distance.

A large ring in the centre of the lens is used for adjusting manual focus. This is ridged and has just enough give to make slight adjustments easy to do.

However, it doesn’t have hard stops at either end to help you ascertain when you’ve reached the maximum/minimum focusing limit.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

If you are using manual focusing, there are some settings you can activate to make it easier. From the camera’s main menu, switching on focus peaking will help you ensure easier focus, while zooming into the scene can also ensure focusing is on point – which is especially important if you want to focus manually at very wide apertures such as f/1.8.

Focusing, if you choose to stick with autofocusing, is very quick thanks to the dual STM stepping motors, and very quiet, which makes it ideal for use in a wide range of situations where quiet focusing is advantageous – for example while shooting video, or in quiet places such as churches.

A very large lens hood is supplied in the box (HB-108), which you can attach to the front of the lens. To do this, you need to line up the white dot on the lens hood with the white dot at the front of the lens.

Simply then twist it to lock it into place – and do the reverse when you want to take it off. You can also turn the lens hood backwards for easier storage and transportation.

Focal Range

The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens has a single focal length. If using the lens on a full-frame camera with DX format activated, or with a DX-camera, the equivalent focal length is 202.5mm. The angle of view when shooting in FX format is 18°10′, and in the DX format, 12°.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Chromatic Aberrations

The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens has been designed to the highest optical standards, and as such we wouldn’t expect to find too much evidence of chromatic aberration. Usually typified as blue or purple fringing along high-contrast edges, it is often a problem with cheaper lenses.

We struggled to find any incidence of chromatic aberration appearing with this lens, even when examining images closely at 100%.

Vignetting

At the widest aperture of f/1.8, there is some very slight shading in the corners when photographing a white wall. This is not something which is overly noticeable with more usual subjects, and the effect lessens at f/2.8, before pretty much disappearing altogether at f/4.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Distortion

Pin-cushion distortion is well controlled in both the JPEG and RAW files.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Sunstars and Flare

The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is capable of creating quite nice sunstars when stopped-down to f/16, as shown below, and flare is fairly well controlled even when shooting directly into the sun.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Macro

The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens is not a designated close-up or macro lens, but thanks to its focal length, it’s still a good option to consider when shooting classic macro-type subjects, such as flowers. The minimum focusing distance is 0.82m / 2.69ft and the maximum magnification is 0.2x.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Bokeh

Bokeh is the word used to describe the out of focus area in an image. It is generally described in qualitative terms, such as creamy, smooth or pleasing.

With a wide maximum aperture, 11 rounded diaphragm blades, and a short telephoto focal length, we’d expect the bokeh from the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens to be nothing less than stellar, and it certainly does not disappoint.

Bokeh here is very rounded and attractive, while also producing a natural drop-off effect from the main subject. Since feelings on bokeh can be quite subjective, we have included some examples below to help you make your own mind up.

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Sharpness

In order to show you how sharp the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens is, we are providing 100% crops on the following page.

Photographer takes control of her man in Hong Kong exhibition Comfort Zone

Photographer takes control of her man in Hong Kong exhibition Comfort Zone

For example, in an image called After Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss (2019), Liao’s partner, who is referred to as Moro, is seen lying prone and passive on Liao’s lap wearing nothing apart from a pair of pulled-up white cotton socks and what looks like an apron tied around his waist.

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“Bed Wrestling 3014 (Rear Chin Lock)”, featured in Liao’s Hong Kong exhibition. Photo: Pixy Liao/Blindspot Gallery

Liao, staring straight into the camera, is dressed in a terry cloth robe with a mandarin collar, her left fist raised towards the sky. In it, she is clutching the camera’s shutter release above Moro’s exposed buttocks.

In Story Time (2022), a fully dressed Liao is sitting in a chair holding a copy of Emmanuelle, the French novel about female sexual liberation. A naked Moro is seen kneeling at Liao’s feet, looking attentive.

Young naked women are their canvas – Hong Kong artists’ erotic nude art

“I imagined that I was a female teacher teaching Moro about female sexuality,” Liao says with a smile.

Liao is bemused by the fact that even in 2024, photos of her younger, Japanese partner posing naked still manage to shock.

She has been exhibiting staged photos of the two of them since 2008, shortly after her ongoing series called “Experimental Relationship” began.

I want him to be comfortable. So he will kind of adjust his body based on how he feels

Pixy Liao, on sharing control with her partner Moro
But then again, convention is formed by centuries of deep-seated bias. Consider that in 1989, the feminist collective the Guerilla Girls had to ask: “Do women have to be naked to enter the Met. Museum?” That was because they found that 85 per cent of nude paintings at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art were of women, while 95 per cent of the artists whose work was exhibited there were men.

Liao says she occasionally gets hate comments online from those disturbed by her work. But she wants to make clear that she is not calling for war against men, nor is she pushing for women to have revenge and assume dominance over men.

Instead, her photos reflect how she and Moro flexibly share control and power in their relationship after years of experimentation and finding their own comfort zone.

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“Space Girl Met Earth Boy 4804”, which is featured in Liao’s Hong Kong exhibition. Photo: Pixy Liao/Blindspot Gallery

She explains that Moro’s vulnerability on camera is only possible because the two have built deep mutual trust and firm boundaries.

“During the photo shoot, it’s kind of like a jam session. He has a lot of his own way of controlling things. I would have a very concrete idea of what I want to do. But I want him to be comfortable.

“So he will kind of adjust his body based on how he feels and what he thinks he should be like in that situation,” Liao says.

She has also been respectful of what he feels comfortable with, she says. “No full- frontal nudity,” she says.

Evidence of the alternating power dynamic in the photos is the way the cable release is sometimes held by Liao, sometimes by Moro.

At first, it wasn’t intentional that they would take turns in controlling when the photo would be taken. Liao simply didn’t have the strength to press the button, so Moro had to do it.

“A long time when he was the only one who could control the cable release, I would just be waiting there, not knowing when he’s going to squeeze. He might take his time and press when I’m blinking my eyes,” Liao says. “I worked out, gained some strength and now I can do it.”

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“G7b9”, which is featured in Liao’s Hong Kong exhibition. Photo: Pixy Liao/Blindspot Gallery

In that sense, Intertwined, one of her latest works, may portray the couple’s shared control and power in the most straightforward manner.

In the photo, the couple sit in a bathtub. Both of them are naked, looking into each other’s eyes while holding on to the cable release together. The long camera cable that loops around their necks multiple times reflects the important role photography plays in their relationship.

Liao says her work is possible only because they both feel completely safe with each other, and that’s where the title of the exhibition, “Comfort Zone”, comes from.

In the back alleys of Kowloon, camera around his neck, he’s in his element

In a photograph titled Comfort Zone, one of the biggest in the exhibition, which is printed on the wall of the gallery, Liao peeks out from between Moro’s legs, right under his crotch.

“I think this one’s very funny because in Chinese we have this saying ‘The humiliation of being under somebody’s crotch’. But for me, it’s actually a comfort zone. It’s almost like the secret of our relationship.

“The reason we can collaborate on many levels is because we feel comfortable with each other,” Liao says.

“He is like a shelter or support for me and I think I mean the same things to him. So even though this might not be a conventionally ‘good’ pose, I feel very comfortable because we are each other’s comfort zone.”

“Comfort Zone”, Blindspot Gallery, 15/F, Po Chai Industrial Building, 28 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang. Tue-Sat 10.30am-6.30pm. Until March 9.

Reframing neglect: a fine art and documentary photography exhibition on NTDs

Reframing neglect: a fine art and documentary photography exhibition on NTDs

This exhibit features photographers from six countries across Africa where neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are prevalent. In breathtakingly bold colors, it dissects social issues and challenges western representations of Africa by creating a powerful interpretation of the impact of NTDs on gender equity, mental health, mobility and access to resources.

This exhibit is curated by Aïda Muluneh organized by The End Fund and Reaching the Last Mile, and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), in connection with World NTD Day (30 January).

On display from 19 January to 16 February 2024

Vernissage on Tuesday 30 January, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm EST, UN General Assembly Lobby, United Nations Secretariat Building, 46 St and 1st Ave, New York

The vernissage will also feature a private screening of The Fly Collectors, a lyrical celebration of the work that has brought Senegal within sight of a once unthinkable goal: eliminating onchocerciasis (river blindness).

Deadline for registration: January 25, 2024

Renowned Designer Lauren Bazinet Partners with Photography Shark Studios to Capture her Exclusive Swimwear Line

Renowned Designer Lauren Bazinet Partners with Photography Shark Studios to Capture her Exclusive Swimwear Line
Photography Shark Studios - Boston Headshots

Photography Shark Studios

Lauren Bazinet, the designer behind the acclaimed swimwear brand Lauren’s Swim, has selected Photography Shark Studios to showcase her line of swimwear.

ROCKLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES, January 29, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Lauren Bazinet, the visionary designer behind the acclaimed swimwear brand Lauren’s Swim, has selected Photography Shark Studios, led by accomplished photographer Chris McCarthy, to showcase the artistry and uniqueness of her custom handmade swimwear line. This collaboration brings together the creative prowess of Bazinet and the visual storytelling finesse of Photography Shark Studios, promising to elevate the allure of Lauren’s Swim to new heights.

About Lauren Bazinet and Lauren’s Swim:
Lauren Bazinet is celebrated for her innovative approach to swimwear design, combining craftsmanship with avant-garde aesthetics. Her swimwear line, available at www.laurensswim.com, has garnered attention for its exclusive designs, meticulous detailing, and commitment to sustainable fashion.

Why Photography Shark Studios:
In the pursuit of capturing the distinctive beauty of her swimwear creations, Lauren Bazinet turned to Photography Shark Studios for their unparalleled expertise in visual storytelling and a proven track record of showcasing fashion in its truest form.

1. Commitment to Excellence:
Photography Shark Studios is renowned for its unwavering commitment to excellence in every frame. The studio’s team of skilled photographers, led by [Photographer Name], is dedicated to capturing the intricate details, vibrant colors, and unique textures of Bazinet’s handmade swimwear. The commitment to excellence aligns seamlessly with Bazinet’s own dedication to craftsmanship.

2. Artistic Vision and Style:
Known for their artistic vision and distinctive style, Photography Shark Studios brings a fresh and dynamic approach to fashion photography. Bazinet’s swimwear line, characterized by its artistic flair, finds a perfect match in the studio’s ability to transform fashion into a visual narrative.

3. Collaboration and Creativity:
The collaboration between Lauren Bazinet and Photography Shark Studios is founded on a shared commitment to creativity. Through a collaborative process, the studio ensures that the essence of Bazinet’s swimwear designs is captured authentically, resulting in images that tell a compelling story.

4. Unique Studio and Location Options:
Photography Shark Studios offers a range of studio and location options, providing versatility to showcase Bazinet’s swimwear line in diverse settings. Whether within the studio’s controlled environment or against the backdrop of iconic Boston locations, each photograph tells a story that complements the unique aesthetic of Bazinet’s creations.

5. Seamless Online Integration:
With Lauren’s Swim’s primary platform being www.laurensswim.com and Photography Shark Studios showcasing their work at www.photographyshark.com, this collaboration promises a seamless integration of visual content. The synergy between both online spaces will provide audiences with an immersive experience, highlighting the intersection of fashion and photography.

Quotes:

Lauren Bazinet, Designer at Lauren’s Swim:
“I chose Photography Shark Studios because of their unmatched expertise in fashion photography and Chris McCarthy’s exceptional eye for capturing the essence of design. I believe that this collaboration will not only bring out the beauty of Lauren’s Swim but also showcase the artistry and sustainability at the heart of the brand.”

Chris McCarthy, Lead Photographer at Photography Shark Studios:
“It’s an honor to collaborate with Lauren Bazinet and capture the visual story of Lauren’s Swim. Our shared commitment to artistic excellence and sustainable fashion creates an exciting synergy. I look forward to translating the unique beauty of Lauren’s Swim’s swimwear into compelling visuals that resonate with audiences.”

About Photography Shark Studios:
Photography Shark Studios, accessible at www.photographyshark.com, is a Boston-based photography studio specializing in fashion, Boston headshots, and portrait photography. Led by lead photographer Chris McCarthy, the studio is known for its artistic flair and commitment to visual storytelling.

Chris
Photography Shark Studios
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