When the Apollo astronauts snapped some 18,000 photographs on the moon in the 1960s, they did so with some very 1960s camera technology. Lacking viewfinders, the astronauts had to attach their cameras to their spacesuits’ chests. Reliant on photographic film, the astronauts needed separate equipment entirely to capture video.

If all goes to plan, Artemis astronauts will soon be taking their own trips to the moon. As such, NASA plans to equip them with some very 2020s camera technology — and the space agency will do so with the help of Nikon. NASA recently signed a Space Act Agreement with the Japanese camera maker, outlining how the company will build a bespoke camera that astronauts can carry on their moonwalks.

Related: Astronauts test moon camera design for future Artemis missions

A joint effort between Nikon and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama recently created a prototype lunar camera that they call a Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC). The team began with a mirrorless Nikon Z9, which is a camera available on the Earth market for about $5,000, combined with NIKKOR lenses.

NASA wants to have a good photography setup for the moon‘s low-light conditions. But when astronauts have to handle a camera with spacesuit gloves in Artemis’ target region, the lunar south pole — a land of extreme temperatures that’s strewn with shards of moondust and battered with radiation — simply carting along a standard Earth camera is not ideal. 

So, the HULC incorporates a thermal blanket, intended to protect the camera from dust, and 

engineers have given it a custom grip with buttons specifically designed for pressing down on with spacesuit gloves. Additionally, the Nikon Z9’s electronics have undergone modifications to make them more resistant to radiation.

Now, NASA and its partner agencies ESA and JAXA have begun putting the camera through rigorous testing. Astronauts have used the HULC during geology training on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, and suited astronauts have taken the HULC on simulated moonwalks in Arizona.

Ultimately, NASA wants the HULC to go up with Artemis III when that mission departs — now scheduled for 2026 — as it will put the first humans on the moon since Apollo 17’s last camera-snaps in 1972.

Unveiling a world both fragile and resilient, the Sony World Photography Awards 2024 finalists have been announced, showcasing breathtaking images that span human vulnerability to nature’s precarious beauty. Among the standout entries, Eddo Hartmann captures Kazakhstan’s haunting nuclear legacy in The Sacrifice Zone, while Jonas Kakó explores environmental impacts in Albania, and Jasper Doest frames wildlife’s confrontation with urban expansion in Zambia. These powerful visuals not only challenge our perceptions but also underscore the pressing environmental issues facing our planet.

Visions of a Radiant Yet Resilient Earth

Each photograph tells a unique story of endurance amidst adversity. Hartmann’s infrared landscapes reveal the unseen scars of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan, offering a stark reminder of humanity’s capacity for destruction and the lingering effects on the environment. The vivid red hues in his images serve as a metaphor for radiation contamination, invisible to the eye yet palpable in its presence. Hartmann’s work, alongside local scientists using similar technology, highlights the ongoing efforts to monitor and understand the environmental health of such devastated areas.

Humanity Intersecting with Nature

In contrast, Kakó’s imagery from the Albanian village of Zharrëz presents a more direct interaction between humans and their environment. A girl climbing an old oil tank symbolizes the resilience of communities living amidst pollution and neglect. This powerful image, shortlisted in the Environment category, raises critical questions about the legacy of industrial exploitation and its impact on future generations. Meanwhile, Doest’s dynamic portrayal of elephants charging through Livingstone, Zambia, exemplifies the growing tensions between wildlife habitats and urban expansion, a pressing concern for conservationists worldwide.

A Platform for Environmental Advocacy

The Sony World Photography Awards not only celebrate artistic excellence but also serve as a vital platform for raising awareness about environmental and conservation issues. By bringing these striking images to a global audience, the awards encourage a deeper reflection on our relationship with the planet and the collective action needed to address the ecological crises we face. The winners will be revealed on 18 April, followed by an exhibition at Somerset House, London, from 19 April to 6 May, offering an opportunity for visitors to engage with these compelling narratives firsthand.

As the exhibition date approaches, these photographs invite us to ponder the delicate balance between human activity and the natural world. Through the lens of the world’s finest photographers, we are reminded of the urgent need to protect and preserve our planet for future generations. This year’s finalists not only capture moments of stark reality but also inspire hope and action towards a more sustainable and conscientious global community.

When literature and photography intersect, a unique landscape of narrative and image emerges. This is vividly exemplified in the exhibition ‘Exteriors: Annie Ernaux Photography‘, a collaborative endeavor between Nobel-prize winning author Annie Ernaux and curator Lou Stoppard, currently on display at Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris. The show, which intertwines Ernaux’s keen observations from her book ‘Journal Du Dehors‘ with a curated selection of photographs from the MEP’s collection, offers an immersive exploration of the mundane yet profound facets of daily life.

Intertwining Narratives and Visuals

The exhibition stands as a testament to the power of combining textual and visual narratives. Ernaux’s ‘Journal Du Dehors’, a slim volume capturing fleeting encounters and observations, gains a new dimension when juxtaposed with the MEP’s photographic collection. Through this pairing, Stoppard and Ernaux invite visitors to traverse between the lines of Ernaux’s prose and the captured moments in the photographs, creating a dialogue that deepens the understanding of both mediums. The show features works by renowned photographers like Harry Callahan and Hiro, alongside contemporary pieces that depict modern violence and social decline, echoing Ernaux’s themes of observing ordinary life and societal issues.

Reflections on Modern Society

The carefully curated photographs not only complement Ernaux’s writing but also expand on her exploration of societal issues. From urban landscapes to intimate portraits, the images offer a visual counterpart to Ernaux’s sharp, often critical observations of social dynamics. This synergy between text and image encourages viewers to consider the subtleties of social interactions and the underlying currents of societal change. The inclusion of contemporary works depicting scenes of modern violence and decline adds a layer of urgency, prompting reflections on the state of today’s world and our place within it.

A Platform for Dialogue

Through ‘Exteriors: Annie Ernaux Photography’, Stoppard and Ernaux have created a platform for dialogue—not only between text and image but also among visitors. The exhibition invites an active engagement, encouraging attendees to draw connections between Ernaux’s words and the photographs, and perhaps to see the world around them through a more observant and critical lens. It is this invitation to dialogue, to see the everyday in a new light, that stands at the heart of the exhibition’s appeal.

As the exhibition at Maison Européenne de la Photographie draws to a close, it leaves behind a trail of questions and reflections. What does it mean to truly observe the world around us? How do literature and photography intersect to deepen our understanding of society? ‘Exteriors: Annie Ernaux Photography’ not only showcases the potent blend of Ernaux’s prose with compelling photography but also serves as a reminder of the power of art to provoke thought, evoke empathy, and inspire change. In a world often characterized by fleeting encounters and superficial connections, this exhibition underscores the importance of pausing, observing, and engaging deeply with the narratives that shape our understanding of society and ourselves.

Boise Camera Club (BCC) gears up to celebrate 90 years of photographic excellence with a special banquet and program coming up this month.

BCC is Idaho’s oldest camera club founded in 1934, and they’re inviting the community to join them in commemorating 90 years of photographic excellence. The celebration will take the form of a special banquet and program at The Riverside Hotel in Garden City, Idaho, on Thursday, March 28th, 2024, from 5:30-9:30pm. More details below!

The event promises an enriching experience for attendees, featuring 2 distinguished keynote speakers.

Don Johnson, an award-winning fine art, portrait, and architectural photographer, will share his insights on “The Timeless Essence of Photographic Excellence: Past, Present, and Prescient.” Johnson, who is also the Assistant Superintendent for the Photography Department of the Western Idaho Fair, will use the theme “90 Years of Photographic Excellence” as a creative springboard for his thought-provoking talk.

Adding a global perspective to the celebration, world-renowned photographer and best-selling author David duChemin will present a virtual lecture titled “The Heart of the Photograph.” DuChemin’s exclusive pre-recorded session is designed for photography enthusiasts seeking to elevate their work to the next level. Accompanied by award-winning photographs from around the world, this presentation will highlight 10 powerful ideas for creating more engaging photographs.

Tickets for the banquet and program are available for $37.50 for BCC members, $45 for students, and $55 for the general public. As seating is limited, reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested individuals can secure their tickets here.

The Boise Camera Club, recognized by the Photographic Society of America for its continuous 66-year membership, meets weekly in Meridian, Idaho. For more information about the club and a calendar of events, visit www.boisecameraclub.org.

At the upcoming State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C., Montana will be represented by a distinguished figure from the realm of photography. Larry Mayer, a legendary photographer from the Billings Gazette, has been extended a special invitation by Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale (R-MT02) to attend the prestigious event as his guest this Thursday. This recognition is not just a personal accolade for Mayer but a moment of pride for Montana, highlighting the significant contributions of its residents on a national stage.

The Journey to Recognition

Larry Mayer’s journey to the State of the Union Address is a testament to his illustrious career and the impact of his work. Over the decades with the Billings Gazette, Mayer has captured moments of history, emotion, and the natural beauty of Montana, earning him both local admiration and international attention. His photograph of the China spy balloon over Billings nearly a year ago catapulted him into the global spotlight, marking a pivotal moment in his career. This invitation by Congressman Rosendale serves as a recognition of Mayer’s dedication to his craft and his role in documenting significant events.

Significance of the Invitation

The opportunity to attend the State of the Union Address as a special guest is a rare honor, reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions in their fields or communities. Each Senator and Congressman is allowed one guest for the event, making the selection process highly competitive and the invitation a mark of considerable esteem. For Mayer, this is not just an invitation to a political event; it is an acknowledgment of his contributions to the journalistic field and the broader narrative of American life. His presence at the State of the Union Address underscores the importance of photography in storytelling and historical documentation.

Reflections on a Momentous Occasion

This invitation comes at a time when the role of journalists and photographers is increasingly under scrutiny and their contributions to society more critical than ever. As Mayer prepares to attend the State of the Union Address, his thoughts likely reflect on the journey that led him here, from capturing everyday life in Montana to documenting events of national significance. His presence in the gallery will serve as a reminder of the power of photography to capture moments that define our collective history. As Montana’s Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) recognized Mayer on the one-year anniversary of the spy balloon incident, it is clear that Mayer’s work has not only captured moments of historical importance but has also brought recognition to Montana on a national level.

As Larry Mayer takes his place in the gallery at the State of the Union Address, his attendance is more than a personal honor; it is a celebration of the role of journalists and photographers in shaping our understanding of the world. It reminds us of the enduring power of visual storytelling and the importance of documenting history as it unfolds. For Montana, Mayer’s invitation is a source of pride and a testament to the significant contributions its residents make to the national dialogue. As Mayer represents Montana at this momentous event, his journey from local photographer to honored guest at the State of the Union Address encapsulates the essence of American resilience and the unyielding pursuit of excellence.