A wildlife photographer has told a court the upsetting story of finding the body of a “murder victim” while out taking pictures.

Craig Prosser was looking to capture kingfishers at a spot in the United Kingdom in 2021 when he instead discovered the body of missing 30-year-old Jorge Carreno.

A woman called Scarlet Blake is currently standing trial at Oxford Crown Court for Carreno’s murder — a crime she denies committing.

In court last Friday, as reported by the Oxford Mail, Prosser became emotional as he gave evidence to the jury about how he came to discover the cadaver.

Prosser had already passed the spot where Carreno’s body was lying when he doubled back and noticed something floating in the water.

“I stood on top of the cement rock and to my left, I saw what looked like a black satchel floating on the top,” the Oxford Mail reports Prosser as saying.

“I regularly see things floating in the water, my initial reaction was to try and pull it from the water and put it on the side.

“I probably would have needed a branch to fish it out. Then to my left, I saw the bottom, the sole of a shoe. It was white, or cream-coloured. I then saw what looked like the hem of cream trousers.”

It was at this moment the photographer’s voice began to break as he continued with his testimony.

“I wanted someone else to confirm before I phoned the emergency services so I waited for some passers-by,” he said.

Afterward, he saw two young men walking a dog; he approached them to double-check what he had seen. Prior to that, Prosser had seen a family but decided against asking them since they had children with them.

When the two men also saw Carenno’s corpse they called the emergency services who recovered the body.

Blake is accused of killing Carreno after he had left a night out and was walking home. It is alleged that she started a conversation with him before taking him to a secluded area where she strangled him.

The trial continues. To discover the court’s decision, follow the Oxford Mail who are podcasting the case.

Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.

Sony was a major player in the massive record-setting broadcast production of Super Bowl LVIII but its support of image capture at the event didn’t end there. More than 50 a9 III cameras and 145 lenses were available for photographers and Sony Pro Support was on hand, too.

Arguably the largest sporting event in the United States, the Super Bowl presents unique challenges for photographers tasked with capturing it. Just as it does for the Olympics, Sony was on-hand at Allegiant Stadium with a massive haul of equipment as well as an on-site team to keep photographers and their gear running at peak performance.

In addition to repair and cleaning support, Sony’s on-site presence at the Super Bowl included a massive haul of 145 high-end lenses and more than 50 new a9 III cameras.

Agency photographers had access to Sony’s pro support at the game, which included camera and lens cleaning and repair, if needed. Photographers also had access to the library of cameras and lenses that Sony brought to the Super Bowl — all free of charge.

While Sony’s support is likely greatly appreciated by the continent of professional photographers in attendance, eventually the duty to capture incredible photos falls on their individual skill — but the latest and greatest equipment certainly helps.

“Sports photographers often have to anticipate a moment using their past experiences with the game and what they know about athletes. The exception to this is when you’re covering athletes like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce,” Kyle Rivas, a member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ photo team tells PetaPixel.

“Many times the crucial moment is likely something we’ve never seen before. That’s where I think the Sony a9 III will excel for sports photographers. I was able to cover the AFC Championship in Baltimore for the Kansas City Chiefs Photo Team while utilizing the Sony a9 III.”

Rivas used the a9 III to capture the photo below and explains what about that experience impressed him and why he continued to rely on it for the Super Bowl.

“Early in the first half, Mahomes was scrambling on a crucial 3rd downplay when he tossed the ball to Travis Kelce. Travis did something that nobody had seen him do quite like this, he leaped after the ball and went parallel to the ground while making a big catch. This happened so quickly that no other photographer from our team was able to find Kelce, focus, and capture the key moment except for my lens,” he says.

“Two things were crucial here. Because I had pre-capture activated, the A9 III was capturing several frames of the ball before it hit his hands while my brain was still tracking the moment. Because I was shooting at 30 frames per second, I didn’t just have one or two keyframes, I turned in a series of frames which our Chiefs production team 65 TPT was able to also utilize on the video side as well.”

The a9 III is a very new camera — it only became publicly available last week. Still, Rivas didn’t shy away from using it in the biggest moments.

“The Sony a9 III in my opinion is going to force sports photographers to change and adapt the way they approach certain moments. Some photographers are going to scoff at the higher frame rates and say we’re just glorified videographers,” he says.

“Others may balk at the amount of frames being taken in a given moment because of both the higher frame rates and Pre-capture. I say if this camera’s power allows me to think at the same pace as an athlete like Mahomes and Kelce, I choose the Sony a9 III every time.”

Image credits: Sony

An award-winning photograph of a polar bear’s unusual napping spot has captured global attention following the announcement of the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year People’s Choice Award. Ice Bed by Nima Sarikhani shows a polar bear that’s carved out a place to sleep from a small iceberg off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, and it’s really got people talking.

After receiving record-breaking support in the People’s Choice Award competition, it was announced as the winner with 75,000 votes. It was captured during a three-day search for polar bears through thick fog off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago aboard an expedition vessel. Just before midnight, the crew and its guests encountered a young male using its paws to carve out a bed on top of a small iceberg, before curling up to go to sleep.

Sea ice is a vital habitat for polar bears who need it to hunt, as well as rest, but in recent years there has been less and less of it to go around due to climate change. The image of the young polar bear making a bed on such a small spit of ice has understandably triggered a lot of emotion, demonstrating the plight of these animals.

“The period with sea ice over shallower water in much of the area is now much shorter than it was a few decades ago,” said Dr Jon Aars of the Norweigian Polar Bear Institute to London’s Natural History Museum. “While the bears that follow sea ice may still be able to hunt year-round, this is increasingly over deeper waters which may be less productive.”

“The loss of sea ice also affects other aspects of their lifestyle. For example, the bears often no longer reach areas in the east that have traditionally been important for building dens. Instead, the bears are now often found hundreds of kilometres closer to the north pole, where the sea ice tends to be.”

Like other mammals, polar bear pups are reliant on their mother’s milk, but long journeys, reduced hunting opportunities, and denning difficulties can make it harder for them to carry babies to term and keep them alive after they’re born. The photo is therefore a stark reminder of what we stand to lose if action isn’t taken, but one that Sarikhani hopes can inspire positive change.

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“I am so honoured to have won this year’s People’s Choice award for WPY, the most prestigious wildlife photography competition,” Sarikhani said in a statement. “This photograph has stirred strong emotions in many of those who have seen it.”

“Whilst climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope that this photograph also inspires hope. There is still time to fix the mess we have caused.”

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

Hey there, folks! Sarah Jensen here, coming to you from the heart of Austin, Texas, where the vibes are as eclectic as the tech and entertainment we love to devour. Today, I’ve got a story that feels like it’s straight out of a movie, but trust me, it’s as real as the latest gadget on your wishlist.

Imagine this: You’re a photographer, used to capturing moments that tell a thousand words, but what if one of those photos held the key to a family secret? That’s exactly what happened to Emily, a talented photographer with an eye for the magic in everyday moments. During a seemingly routine family photo shoot with Cassie and her adorable quadruplets, Emily snapped a series of pictures that would unknowingly lead her to uncover a life-changing truth.

As Emily sifted through the photos, editing and zooming in for those perfect touches, she stumbled upon a detail that caught her breath. One of the little girls had heterochromia—two different colored eyes—a rare trait that Emily and her father also shared. But it was a tiny, heart-shaped birthmark visible in one of the close-ups that truly set off the alarm bells. Emily remembered her father mentioning a similar mark, a unique family signature, you might say.

Driven by a mix of curiosity and disbelief, Emily shared her discovery with her father, who was recovering in the hospital. The conversation that followed would unravel years of secrets: Cassie was not just a client but Emily’s half-sister, making those four little girls her nieces!

Shocked but determined to connect the dots, Emily approached Cassie with the story, and together, they decided to take a DNA test. The results were undeniable: they were indeed family. What started as a routine photo shoot blossomed into a heartwarming tale of reunion and newfound bonds.

This story isn’t just a testament to the power of photography; it’s a reminder of how interconnected we are, often in ways we can’t even imagine. It’s about the unexpected discoveries that can change our lives, bringing us closer to truths we never knew existed.

So, dear readers, I’m curious—have you ever experienced a moment that felt like fate stepping in to rearrange the pieces of your life? A chance encounter that led to a surprising revelation or a long-lost connection rediscovered? Share your stories in the comments below. Let’s marvel at the mysteries of life together, proving once again that reality can be as thrilling as the latest binge-worthy TV show or the newest tech gadget on the market.

And remember, in a world where every picture tells a story, some stories might just lead you back home.

Until next time, keep exploring, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of a single photograph to change your life.

Yours in endless adventure, Sarah Jensen