Did You Know That There is A Sculpture Of Ludwig Van Beethoven In Los Angeles?

Feb 13, 2024 By Admin in Sculpture

Learn more about one of the world’s most influential and well-known composers in history, Ludwig van Beethoven, and his statue in L.A.

Sony World Photography Awards: Here’s A Look At This Year’s Winning Pics

Feb 13, 2024 By Admin in Photography

The Sony World Photography Awards received more than 395,000 images.

One of the world’s largest and most prestigious photography competitions has announced its winners for the year 2024. The Sony World Photography Awards received more than 395,000 images from scores of countries and territories, submitted for its four competition categories: Professional, Open, Youth and Student. Organised by the World Photography Organisation, the awards have now declared overall winners in each category. The winning national and regional images were taken by photographers based in 54 countries, organisers said.

According to the official site, photographers were judged anonymously by a panel of judges. This year, the participants showcased “unique styles and approaches to the medium,” the press note read. “Now in its 11th year, the programme supports photographers of all abilities worldwide and celebrates their achievements,” it added.

Notably, among the winners is India’s very own Mitul Kajaria. His winning photograph, titled “Child Sleeping at a Construction Site”, captured a poignant moment of daily life, portraying a young child peacefully sleeping amidst the hustle of a construction site.

Take a look below:

Mitul Kajaria – National Awards 1st Place, India
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Here’s a look at some of the other most striking images from the Sony World Photography Awards 2024:

Wasiri Gajaman – National Awards 1st Place, Sri Lanka
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Tran Tuan Viet – National Awards 1st Place, Vietnam
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Bibek Kunwar – National Awards 1st Place, Nepal
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Pascal Fouquet – National Awards 1st Place, United States
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Lim Chien Ting – National Awards 1st Place, Malaysia
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Abdulla Al-Mushaifri – National Awards 1st Place, Oman
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Davuth Van – National Awards 1st Place, Cambodia
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Yasser Alomari – National Awards 1st Place, Saudi Arabia
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Connie France Calderon Martel – Latin America Regional Awards Shortlist, Peru
Photo Credit: worldphoto.org

Notably, as per the organisation, winners of the Sony World Photography Awards student, youth, open and professional competitions will be announced on April 18. They will go on display with the national and regional award winners as part of an exhibition that opens at Somerset House in London from April 19 to May 6.

Photographing a volcano with an IR camera

Feb 13, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Jonas Daley is what I call an “atypical nature photographer”. His photos capture mountains and deserts, but they don’t look remotely similar to what pops into your head when you imagine such landscapes. Jonas colors his work differently, making his photos look like they were photographed in an alien world. His work has become a personal favorite of mine for color reference, taking a place in my reference album next to IR photographers. Frankly, the first time I saw Jonas’s work, I thought he was an IR photographer himself, shooting IR in peculiar locations.

Recently, I came across one of his more recent works, from his photography visit to Ijen, a dangerous volcano in Indonesia.

I haven’t seen someone shoot the blue flames of Ijen since Keeow Wee Long visit in 2014, and there is a good reason for that. Photographing volcanos is dangerous by itself, but this volcano is dangerous for more than just its heat.

The Ijen Volcano

With a diameter exceeding 1 kilometer and a depth of approximately 300 meters, the Ijen Volcano crater has formed the Ijen Volcano Lake due to the presence of abundant sulfur salts and volcanic magma activity at the bottom. The lakebed is rich in sulfur deposits.

Every year, local residents and workers climb the volcano and then collect sulfur from the lakebed. This is a strenuous and hazardous occupation, as workers labor in an environment saturated with toxic gases, traversing the steep slopes. The sulfur mined by them is primarily used in the production of fertilizers and industrial products such as chemicals.

DIYP: What was it like shooting in a dangerous volcano?

Jonas: “Shooting at Mount Ijen was truly an unforgettable experience. The environment in the area is extremely harsh, but it also showcases its unique beauty and landscapes. From both a technical and safety perspective, shooting near a volcano requires special preparation and precautions, which made the entire experience even more memorable and exciting.”

DIYP: volcanoes are not a common subject; how did you get to shoot this project?

Jonas: Regarding how I got into such a project, I have always had a strong interest in natural landscapes and photography, and I have gradually developed my skills and style through continuous learning and practice.

DIYP: What are your tips for aspiring nature photographers still searching for their art style?

Jonas: As for advice for aspiring nature photographers, I believe the key is to maintain curiosity and creativity, continuously experiment with new techniques and perspectives, and always stay sensitive to the beauty of nature.

You can see more of Jonas Daley work on his website, Instagram, and Behance account.

The Photographer’s Washington, DC — Part 1: The Federal City

Feb 13, 2024 By Admin in Photography

It set out to take creative street photos: here’s how I captured the London look

Feb 13, 2024 By Admin in Photography

My Mission

London street photography by Chris Aldred — (Image credit: Chris Aldred)

Mission: Capture the streets of London throughout the day, sunset and blue hour
Photographer: Chris Aldred
Location: Bristol, UK
Kit used: Nikon D3500, Nikon AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
Instagram: @aldredvisual

Growing up in Bristol, I was surrounded by the creative wave of local photographers, street artists and architects in my community – and I wanted to be a part of that. My love of photography grew after leaving school, as I observed and learned from others I looked up to.

My journey really began when I picked up my first proper camera, a Nikon Coolpix P510 bridge camera. This allowed me to develop my skills and creative outlook. I advanced onto a Nikon D5100 DSLR shortly after, and then a Nikon D3500. I’ve recently invested in my first Z-series camera, the Nikon Z5, which I’m excited to be using more often in the near future.

I took my trusty D3500 on this trip to London. It’s an absolute workhorse, and has been my go-to camera for a while. It was paired with my AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, a versatile piece of kit to suit all environments and subjects. I also had a Manfrotto Element MII tripod, which is nice and light to carry around.

My best shots

After spending the latter part of the morning walking around Piccadilly, I took a couple of photos of the Ritz, but wanted to find an angle to create something unique within my surroundings. I noticed there were several motorbikes parked not far away, and I couldn’t resist trying my luck with one of the mirrors. It took a few attempts to get the focus right, as the camera was set to Face-Priority AF, but I used the framing grid display to help keep it central. I then flipped the image in editing to make the lettering legible, which I think made the image stand out more.

I could tell by the clouds forming above that there was a good chance of a nice sunset (a rarity in London). I walked towards Tower Bridge, wanting to capture something with architecture in the foreground. The pattern on the side of the bridge gave me the perfect opportunity to capture a frame within a frame (although it did raise a couple of eyebrows from some nearby tourists). It took some time to frame the image properly – the ‘Walkie Talkie’ needed to sit in the middle of the pattern – and I found myself racing against the clock so I wouldn’t miss the best light as the sun began to set.

London Bridge can be a busy place, especially with the financial district nearby. I felt it was time to try my luck with my tripod. I had a long-exposure shot in mind – vibrant red buses with iconic London architecture in the background. It can sometimes take a little trial and error to settle on the right exposure length. I opted for just one second, as I didn’t want the blur to look too elongated and artificial.

One of my favorite storytelling genres is science fiction, with elements of film noir and dystopian fiction. The London Underground offers a great location to try something that fits these categories. The key with shooting these candid scenes is to respect people’s space and to be considerate (and not use the flash) when taking portraits of strangers.

A slight Dutch tilt (where you rotate the camera to angle the frame) and muted color palette provided me with an image that I initially thought would look good in black and white; but in post-production, color seemed more appropriate. I only altered the highlights and shadows.

I’ve always loved leading lines. You need to have a clear subject for the viewer to be led to – and what better example than St Paul’s Cathedral? This quiet street nearby offered a great chance to get down low and capture a quirky image of the famed building. It took several minutes to adjust my focus with Wide-Area AF, along with Vibration Reduction. I wanted the double yellow markings to stand out just enough so the landmark in the distance would remain in focus. I was delighted I managed to capture a clear scene with no pedestrians, as that would have changed the image.

My street and urban photography tips

Explore your surroundings and try something new. It could help you find a unique composition, and is a great way to allow your creativity to flow.
Always take a spare battery (or two). The last thing you want to do is worry about conserving the battery level while you’re out in the field, experimenting with shutter speeds and different compositions.
Take your time. Don’t rush or panic about your photography goals for the day. Enjoy the process of developing your photo skills and creating content. Be curious about your environment and let your imagination run wild.

Read more:

Lens and Legacy: Navigating the Epochs of Photography

Feb 13, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Oxfordshire’s Big Picture: 12 February

Feb 13, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Join us as we take a few moments every day to relax and enjoy the beauty of Oxfordshire through the stunning images you send us.

Upload your images via BBC Weather Watchers or email us at southweather@bbc.co.uk

estherjohnsonphotography

“Sometimes I’m lucky enough that a passer-by walks into frame,” says BBC Weather Water estherjohnsonphotography of this image at the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford

Jim Keyworth

A gorgeous sunset behind Bliss Mill at Chipping Norton was captured by BBC Weather Watcher Jim Keyworth

How to submit a picture

Upload your images via BBC Weather Watchers or email us at southweather@bbc.co.uk. For inspiration, view some top tips from three of England’s Big Picture photographers.

When emailing pictures, please make sure you include the following information:

The full name of the person who took the pictures (as this person owns the copyright)
Confirmation that the copyright holder gives permission for the BBC to use their pictures across all its outputs
The location, date and time the pictures were taken
Your telephone number so we can get back to you if we have any further questions
Any other details about the pictures that may be useful for us to know

Please note that while we welcome all your pictures, we are more likely to use those which have been taken in the past week.

Terms and conditions

If you submit a picture, you do so in accordance with the BBC’s Terms and Conditions and the BBC’s privacy policy.

In contributing to England’s Big Picture you agree to grant us a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and otherwise use the material in any way that we want, and in any media worldwide.

It’s important to note, however, that you still own the copyright to everything you contribute to England’s Big Picture, and that if your image is accepted, we will publish your name alongside.

The BBC cannot guarantee that all pictures will be used and we reserve the right to edit your comments.

At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws while collecting any kind of media.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.

Tinley Park Photography Studio is the Recipient of the 2024 Emerging Star Award

Feb 13, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Tinley Park Photography Studio is the Recipient of the 2024 Emerging Star Award (Tinley Park, IL) — On January 7, 2024, H&H Color Lab named Lucas Benjamin Photography the winner of the 2024 Emerging Star Award at its annual Summit. The Emerging Star Award is given to a new member of the Summit that exhibits both photographic and business excellence. The annual gathering is for top photography studios that specialize in youth sports and school photography. Sixty-two leading studios from around the country were in attendance.

Representing Lucas Benjamin Photography was Jeff Ruhe, the owner of the company. “On behalf of all the hard-working people at Lucas Benjamin Photography, I am honored to accept this award. Our mission statement is: To inspire by creating positive images. If we can help improve the self-image of the children we photograph, we are doing our job. In part, this award is recognition of our commitment to that objective.”

About Lucas Benjamin Photography

Based in Tinley Park, Illinois, Lucas Benjamin Photography serves greater Chicagoland and is a leading provider of youth sports and school photography. We are members of top photographic societies including Professional Photographers of America and Volume Imaging Professionals.