The Ontario photographer who shoots abandoned churches, schools and mansions

By in Photography

The Ontario photographer who shoots abandoned churches, schools and mansions

His images reveal the things we leave behind

Dave Conlon, an urban explorer from Ontario, follows a strict code of ethics as he photographs deserted sites. (Photography by Dave Conlon)

In 2012, Dave Conlon was in search of a hobby. He was a young father and marketing professional, filling his spare time collecting records, bodybuilding and even riding motorcycles—but each new pastime failed to keep him interested for longer than a year.
One day, a friend told Conlon about a supposedly haunted house in Niagara-on-the-Lake, an hour’s drive east of his family home in Burlington, Ontario. It was a dilapidated brick shack with boarded windows that faced a cemetery. The more he read about it, the more photos he found of the house, all by amateur photographers and urban explorers: people who venture into abandoned or off-limits sites to take photos. He was intrigued. “I wanted to feel the thrill of doing something you’re not supposed to do,” he says.

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The next weekend, Conlon left his house at dawn and drove through Milton and Oakville, sneaking into abandoned homes and taking pictures with a Nikon D50 camera that he already owned but barely knew how to use. His trips kept getting longer: he travelled hours north to Cochrane and Kirkland Lake to snap the insides of bygone-era houses; rode through Quebec, Buffalo and Ohio to roam derelict monasteries and hotels; and even spent four days in Saskatchewan last summer to take pictures of forsaken churches. Now, he’s preparing for his most ambitious trip yet: a visit to northern British Columbia and Canada’s largest ghost town, Anyox, which neighbours the Alaskan border and is accessible only by jet boat or helicopter. He plans to set out this summer. “It just fascinates me how much of our lives we can leave behind,” he says.

Conlon gets a rush trying to avoid being caught sneaking onto private property. In 2019, the Ontario Provincial Police charged him for breaking and entering into an abandoned house in Warkworth, Ontario, after the homeowner saw photos of the house posted on his website, Freaktography.com. When Conlon heard the news, he asked the owner if she would consider dropping the charges if he helped her clean up the property. “She took the deal,” he says, “and we are friends to this day.”

Conlon follows a strict code of ethics while exploring. “If there is anything I fear, it’s karma,” he says. “So I’ve created some hard rules.” He never steals or uses force to break into places, and he always removes photos from his website if the building’s owner asks him to. In 2014, at an abandoned house in Beamsville, Ontario, he and another explorer found $7,000 in cash behind a mattress that they returned to the homeowners. Then, six years later, he found two sets of war medals and Nazi party pins from the Second World War in a deserted basement. Conlon contacted the family, who wanted nothing to do with it—or him—so he gave the medals to a collector friend. “I want to keep exploring Canada, but I want to do it in peace,” he says.

Hotel ballroom (New York, 2024): “This is a 13-storey hotel in a busy part of town. It would be as if no one had checked into the Fairmont Royal York or the King Eddie in Toronto for a few decades, but the city still kept it there. Frankly, I think the room looks better this way than it probably did when it was a ballroom. The graffiti gives it character.”

Toronto mansion (Ontario, 2024): “This vacant mansion is in a wealthy neighbourhood in Toronto, and I heard from other urban explorers that it was about to be demolished. I couldn’t believe it: it was just built in 2005 and has massive bedrooms, an outdoor tennis court and this indoor pool with an overflowing waterfall. I have a one-bedroom condo, so it fascinates me to see how some people think they need that much space.”

School board building (Ontario, 2017): “This place is part of a heritage district and was once a school board headquarters. But over the last few decades, a series of developers has bought the building only to abandon it. One of the sections here is completely trashed and filled with mould and asbestos. But, when I walked through a door, I saw these beautiful archways and a marble staircase that led to an ornate meeting room.”

House frozen in time (Ontario, 2023): “This house is just off a major road in Prince Edward County, but it seems like no one has touched it in over 20 years. The calendar on the wall is from 2001. Apparently, somebody died, and the family left the place in a hurry. I can’t believe nobody has broken in to steal things: there are pictures on the wall, furniture still set, and even dishes in the sink. It is one of the best-preserved abandoned houses I’ve ever seen.”

Montreal hangar (Quebec, 2023): “This place is hidden from the main road, which makes it a perfect canvas for graffiti artists to practise their craft. In fact, most art here was not plain graffiti of kids tagging their names, but intricate images with many colours, elaborate signatures and cartoons. This photo captures only a part of the hangar—it’s massive, and the graffiti walls go on and on.”

Abandoned school (New York, 2023): “I check out abandoned schools because nobody usually cleans them out after they close down. This one in New York state still had writing on the chalkboard, desks and globes in the classrooms and ceiling tiles falling onto the floors.”

Ukrainian church (Saskatchewan, 2023): “I did a four-day photography trip to Saskatchewan last May and immediately noticed that there were many abandoned Ukrainian Catholic churches across the province. The stained-glass windows and remaining pews told me this was once beautiful; but as soon as I peeped my head through the doors, I thought, what a waste.”


Abandoned church, 10 years apart (Ontario, 2012 and 2022): “In my 10th year of urban exploring, I returned to some sites to take the exact same photos and see how things had changed. This one shows how people steal things. It’s funny: I enter buildings discreetly and people still notice me. But others will show up with a pickup truck, walk out of the building carrying furniture in broad daylight, and are never caught.”

Get to grips with Vanguard’s new Alta Pro 3VRL tripods at The Photography & Video Show

By in Photography

Get to grips with Vanguard’s new Alta Pro 3VRL tripods at The Photography & Video Show

Vanguard has launched an Alta Pro 3VRL series of tripods, available standalone  in both aluminum and carbon fiber, or in various kits with a video head. 

‘VRL’ stands for ‘Video Removable Level’, and all Alta Pro 3VRL tripods come with the Alta Pro 3VRL LVL levelling system. This features a handle that you can use to unlock, reposition and lock the base in place, allowing you to find your level in seconds on any terrain. 

(Image credit: Vanguard)

They also come with an Alta Pro 3VRL Platform 30 that allows you to change to a completely different tripod setup in seconds, without the need to remove and reattach a head.  For example, you may have a video head attached to the levelling system and a dual axis ball head attached to the platform for landscape shoots. Essentially, this becomes a quick-release system for tripod heads. If you have multiple setups, you can buy extra levels and platforms to suit your needs, and Vanguard says that an extending central column is in the pipeline for any photographer who finds a 1.8m tripod is too short!

(Image credit: Vanguard)

Designed for stability, its three-section 30mm legs are adjustable via easy-to-clean leg locks that can be set to 23°, 50° and 80° angles, and deliver a load capacity of up to 25kg, while the carbon tripod weighs just 2085g.

The Vanguard Alta Pro 3VRL retails from £300/$460 depending on the configuration. See it at The Photography & Video Show from March 16-19, on stand C500.

(Image credit: Vanguard)

The Photography & Video Show 2024 : everything to know

This Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant Portraits

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This Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant Portraits
Critters

This Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant Portraits

Amanda Stronza pulls over to document coyotes, deer, and squirrels killed along highways.

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March 6, 2024


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This Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant Portraits

“Roadrunner,” 2021.
Amanda Stronza

Before Amanda Stronza heads to Botswana or Nepal during the summers for work, she instructs new dog and house sitters about trash days and tricky light switches at her College Station home. She tells them whom to call if a sink goes bust and where to find spare light bulbs. Stronza also makes sure to mention that if her guests stroll around her 1.6-acre yard, they might stumble upon a femur or a vertebra. In fact, if visitors don’t discover some skeletal remains, it would be a little odd.

“I tell them not to worry if they find bones,” says Stronza. If the potential house sitter looks unsettled, which sometimes happens, Stronza explains that her passion is memorializing animals of all sizes that have been killed along Texas roadsides. Occasionally she’ll bring a turtle or squirrel home because it’s more dignified than letting the corpses decompose in the middle of a busy highway as trucks and Harleys barrel past. The yard is a more peaceful place for vultures to swoop in and continue the cycle of life. “Most people are okay with it and say it’s beautiful,” Stronza says of her hobby. “As long as there are no human bones.”

Stronza, an anthropologist and professor in ecology and conservation biology at Texas A&M University, has devoted her career to understanding how people relate to wildlife. In Botswana, her research focuses on the ways humans and elephants can peacefully coexist. In Nepal, she studies macaque monkeys and tries to understand how local farmers and Indigenous peoples can coexist with an animal that many farmers view as pests. In the Peruvian, Ecuadorian, and Bolivian Amazon, she works on community-based conservation and ecotourism. Thirteen years ago, she turned her love of photography into a side job by becoming part of the SXSW photography crew, taking pictures of speakers, comedians, musicians, and red carpets. Her images have appeared in Rolling Stone and People. But her real passion is wildlife. “I take pictures of Keanu Reeves, and then dead animals,” Stronza says. Now several of her images and eulogies are part of a new exhibit, “The Toll of Texas Roads on Turtles and Snakes,” which opened this week at the J. Wayne Stark Galleries on the A&M campus. The show is a collaboration with herpetologist Lee Fitzgerald and illustrator Rachel Ivanyi.

Stronza stumbled upon the idea for this unusual work in January 2019, when she was walking her dog, Matilda, around Lady Bird Lake and noticed throngs of bikers and joggers ignoring a lifeless squirrel in the middle of the path. Stronza moved the squirrel away from foot traffic. She placed tree bark and delicate purple flowers around its body, snapped a photo, and shared it on Instagram along with a heartfelt eulogy. The post soon garnered hundreds of likes. For several months, she kept posting memorials, interspersed with her pictures of living elephants and other animals from her travels. Six months later, after someone shared a few of her memorials, her social media started blowing up, adding thousands of new followers each day. “I thought I had been hacked,” she says.

This Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant PortraitsThis Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant Portraits
“Prairie kingsnake,” 2020.Amanda Stronza

Her Instagram account now has more than 50,000 followers. Some send messages to tell her that they also memorialize animals killed along roadsides. Others simply thank her for paying tribute to skunks and roadrunners. Occasionally she’ll get a comment saying her hobby is creepy or asking why she’s not helping living animals (which she does, through her research and by raising money for rescue groups such as Austin Pets Alive!).

To really get a feel for what goes into the creation of Stronza’s memorials, I decide that a little road trip is in order. I get upset when I see a coyote or an owl lying on the side of a road, but I never think of stopping, so I’m a little nervous to get up close and personal with a creature in who knows what stage of rigor mortis. Stronza suggests we meet at the Buc-ee’s in Bastrop, off Texas Highway 71 just southeast of Austin. She pulls up in a dark gray Subaru Forester, and I hop in. A little toy panda is perched on the dashboard, and a few blankets are tossed in the back seat. “This car is a little bit of a hearse,” Stronza says after we hug hello. And with that admission, we head out on the road.

This Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant PortraitsThis Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant Portraits
“Coyote,” 2021.Amanda Stronza

Stronza is not the first person to memorialize road-killed animals (she prefers that term to “roadkill,” which she finds demeaning). She cites Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Mary Oliver and nature writer Barry Lopez as inspirations, specifically Lopez’s book Apologia, which is about a road trip in which he removed dead animals from roadsides. Ben Goldfarb, an environmental journalist based in Colorado and author of the recent book Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, says that both his and Stronza’s endeavors are “part of a larger national conversation about habitat fragmentation caused by roads, poaching, and deforestation. There is nothing we do to kill more wild animals than drive.”

Goldfarb writes that more than one million large animals, such as deer and elk, are killed by car collisions in America per year, plus as many as 340 million birds. Then there are the myriad frogs, snakes, armadillos, and tiny critters we pass by without even noticing. Goldfarb points out the endangered ocelots that live in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, in South Texas. Only about eighty to a hundred of the cats remain in Texas, and vehicles are a major cause of their deaths. “Amanda’s work matters,” says Goldfarb. “We feel like we see a lot of roadkill, but we’re only seeing a tiny fraction. We’re trapped in our metal-and-glass bubbles racing along at ninety miles per hour.”

In Bastrop, Stronza drives steadily, not speedily, east along Texas Highway 21. I feel conflicted about the fact that I’m hoping to find an animal that’s been hit, and we do pass a few that are either in too dangerous of a location on the busy road or too far gone to handle. We spot an owl in the median, and Stronza says that seeing a bird’s feathers ruffle in the wind as cars drive by breaks her heart. Most people feel for cats, dogs, or deer along the road, but snakes, armadillos, and skunks don’t elicit the same response. Some passersby will even swerve on purpose to run over a snake. Stronza talks about the “hierarchy of grief” and her hopes that the new exhibit at A&M might help people view a rat snake with as much respect as they do a beloved cat or dog. “In America especially, we have an aversion to death, and we’re not good at talking about it,” she says. “We don’t see these animals as worthy of our grief.”

As fate would have it, we spot a black cat lying in the median along Highway 21. Stronza finds a safe place to pull over. We hop out, and she grabs a lavender-colored blanket from the back. Walking into the middle of a busy Texas highway to retrieve a deceased cat is not one of my bucket list items, but I dutifully follow behind Stronza. She gently picks up the animal, whispers a few words of comfort, and dashes back to the Forester. She places the cat in the back, and we drive a few feet to a safe side road, where she puts the body on the grass and gathers leaves to place over it. Stronza says about 80 percent of her memorials are left near roadsides. She only brings them home if they’re in good condition and she finds them close by. While she’s leaf hunting, a man in a pickup stops and asks if we need help. I smile and say we’re just fine, and he pulls away with a confused look on his face, likely because I’m standing out in the wind and cold next to a dead cat.

This Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant PortraitsThis Texas Photographer Turns Dead Animals Into Poignant Portraits
“Skunk,” 2023.Amanda Stronza

Once she explains what she’s up to, Stronza says, most onlookers who stop to see what she’s doing find it “beautiful” or comforting. A state trooper once pulled over, and instead of scolding her, he thanked her. When she was memorializing a wild hog on the side of the road, two women with “big Texas hair” slowed to a crawl and rolled down the car window. Stronza braced herself for an admonition. Once she explained herself, though, the women said they were moved. Stronza always has a microchip scanner in the car, so she can make sure an animal didn’t belong to someone. So far, she hasn’t had to go knock on a stranger’s door to deliver bad news.

When she finishes taking photos and saying kind words to the cat, we drive a little farther east and stop for a raccoon. Stronza, unsurprisingly, loves raccoons. We find a safe spot for her to place the animal. Cars and trucks speed along the highway, their tires creating a cacophony of sound as she crouches down to arrange leaves over the raccoon’s fur. “This is what I hear,” she says of the road noise. “I hear how violent it is, how it must feel to be a raccoon.”

Since telling most Texans to quit driving cars is out of the question, Stronza and Goldfarb both suggest that driving more conscientiously would be a good place to start. In 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $350 million for wildlife-vehicle collision reduction grants. Wildlife crossings, designed to give animals safe passage over or under roads, are one way to decrease deaths. In San Antonio, the 150-foot Robert L. B. Tobin Land Bridge is used by deer, rabbits, and possums, while concrete culverts provide safe passage for ocelots in South Texas.

Stronza lives and teaches in College Station during the week and stays at her place in Austin on the weekends, so she frequently drives along Highway 21. I ask her how often she stops to photograph dead animals. She tells me she pulls over at least twice each time she makes the drive, but she has to limit herself. “I can’t stop for every animal I see, but it’s hard for me to not turn around,” Stronza says as we drive back toward Bastrop. “I like bearing witness to these animals, because so many of us don’t look at all.”

Hirshhorn Museum Enriches Collection with Historic Chinese Photogr…

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Hirshhorn Museum Enriches Collection with Historic Chinese Photogr…
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The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden‘s recent acquisition of 141 photographs by 20 Chinese contemporary artists, a generous gift from collector and publisher Larry Warsh, marks a significant expansion of its collection. This collection, created between 1993 and 2006, played a pivotal role in the museum’s exhibition “A Window Suddenly Opens: Contemporary Photography in China.” Melissa Chiu, the museum’s director, highlighted the unparalleled nature of Warsh’s donation in the institution’s nearly 50-year history, emphasizing its contribution to understanding contemporary Chinese art’s evolution against a backdrop of societal and cultural shifts.

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Seeds of the Collection

In 2004, a trip to China facilitated by Melissa Chiu for the Asia Society became a turning point for Warsh, deepening his appreciation for Chinese artists and their work amidst the country’s rapid changes. This journey not only solidified Warsh’s interest in Chinese contemporary art but also set the stage for his future contributions to the art world. Warsh’s approach to collecting, characterized by passion and a focus on acquiring in-depth bodies of work, reflects his desire to capture the essence of an era or movement, as seen in his collections of artists like Ai Wei-Wei and KAWS.

Cultural and Historical Contexts

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The period during which Warsh collected these photographs was critical in Chinese history, following the Tiananmen Square massacre and coinciding with China’s opening under Jiang Zemin’s leadership. This era saw a rebirth of document photography and the emergence of art photography, diverging from the Maoist ideology that had previously dominated Chinese art and culture. The artists featured in Warsh’s collection, including Cui Xiuwen, Rong Rong, and Zhang Huan, used photography as a means to explore and express new ideas of identity, sexuality, and consumerism amidst China’s transforming landscape. Their work provides a unique window into the period’s artistic innovation and social commentary.

Legacy and Future Plans

Warsh’s visionary collection not only captures a pivotal moment in Chinese history but also serves as an educational resource for audiences worldwide. Recognizing the historical significance of these works, Warsh plans to extend his generosity to 20 to 30 museums by 2025, aiming to place these important pieces in institutions that value them. Meanwhile, Warsh continues to support the art world through various projects, including his interest in South African artist Esther Mahlangu, showcasing his ongoing commitment to promoting and preserving contemporary art.

Through Larry Warsh’s transformative gift to the Hirshhorn Museum, a broader audience will now have the opportunity to engage with a crucial period of Chinese contemporary art. This collection not only enriches the museum’s offerings but also ensures that the dynamic and diverse voices of Chinese artists from this significant era continue to resonate with future generations.

Animal snaps from British kids up for prizes at RSPCA awards

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Animal snaps from British kids up for prizes at RSPCA awards

By Eleanor Dye

Published: 11:26 EST, 6 March 2024 | Updated: 12:06 EST, 6 March 2024

Adorable snaps of animals taken by Britain’s best young nature photographers have been shortlisted for awards in an RSCPA competition – with one nominee aged just six.

Fourteen animal images of pets and farm animals have been shortlisted and the winner will be decided by votes cast online by the public.

The cute and funny images show pets and farm animals encountered by the children, including snaps of Highland cows, pet cats and dogs – and even an alpaca.

Other entries include snaps of Charlie the rescue cockerel from 14-year-old Rebekah Welby and Susie the nosy pony by Eilidh Shannon, aged 12.

The youngest to be featured on the shortlist is 6-year-old Alfie Woodfine from Berkshire, who captured the snap of his gorgeous puppy Petal after she fell asleep amongst her teddies.

Britain's best young nature photographers are up for prizes at the RSPCA awards, with voting now open to the public. Pictured: Yawning Cat - by Yiyi Poulopoulou, 15, from Cheshire

Jumping jacks! Pepper and Mabel - the 'leap frogs' taken by 18-year-old Sophie Green from Northumberland

Feline sleepy: Maine Coon cat Jack by Bella Pharo, 13, from London

Emma Narkevic, 13, lives in Kent, and was shortlisted for her entry – a Highland cow enjoying a leafy snack.

‘This image is very funny as you realise that animals, such as this cow, have characters just like people,’ she said.

‘Even cows can enjoy having a little snack and I am very grateful for capturing this because, even though I was trying to get a serious and beautiful sight of an animal, you can get a hysterical and goofy side which made my day!’

The People’s Choice Award is now open for voting and member of the public can choose their favourite photos, with the winner receiving £100 worth of Amazon vouchers and an RSPCA Young Photographer Awards trophy.

Voting closes on 12 March, with the winner set to be announced on 14 March.

Up close and personal: Suzie the nosy Dartmoor pony by Eilidh Shannon, 12, from Aberdeenshire

It's a bug's life: A macro photo of a bug in astonishing detail by Erin Shepherd, 17, from Nottinghamshire

Cow wow! Emma Narkevic, 13, lives in Kent, and was shortlisted for her entry - a Highland cow enjoying a leafy snack

Alpacas Under The Viaduct by Corina Southern, 13, from Greater Manchester

Other entries include snaps of Charlie the rescue cockerel from 14-year-old Rebekah Welby

Diggity dog: Lexie the dog by Eilidh Shannon, 12, from Aberdeenshire

How rude! Lexie the dog sticks her tongue out, as taken by Eilidh from Aberdeenshire

Parkour: Pepper the dog by Sophie Green, 18, from Northumberland

The youngest to be featured on the shortlist is 6-year-old Alfie Woodfine from Berkshire, who captured the snap of his gorgeous puppy Petal after she fell asleep amongst her teddies

Shake It Off: Marley the dog by Violet Brown, 12, from Sussex

Dreamy Dalmatian: Rupert the Dalmatian is snapped snoozing on the sofa by Lily Logan, 13, from East Yorkshire

RSPCA photographer and awards judge, Andrew Forsyth, said: ‘We love this part of the awards as it gives the public the chance to get involved and pick their favourite photo.

‘We’ve got some funny, sweet and stunning photos shortlisted and we’re excited to share them. I can’t wait to see the winning photo!

‘The photos shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award this year showcase some incredibly feel-good images and a range of animals from pets, farm animals to insects.

‘This is a fantastic selection that is bound to make you laugh and say ‘aww’ out loud – so please get voting!’

Muhammad Ali Center to open annual photography exhibit highlighting women in sports

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Muhammad Ali Center to open annual photography exhibit highlighting women in sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The latest edition of the Muhammad Ali Center’s annual Shining A Light exhibition series is set to open on International Women’s Day, March 8.

This year’s focus is Women in Sports. The Ali Center says the exhibit will showcase the social and economic benefits of equal access to sports for women and girls around the world.

The exhibition series is part of the Shining a Light International Photography Contest, highlighting a different gender disparity topic each year. Previous iterations focused on women impacted by carceral systems, and access to clean water around the world, the release said.

Women in Sports will feature images that tell powerful stories of women and girls interacting with sport both in their local community and on the highest level. A judging panel narrowed the submissions down to 40 featured images after hundreds of photos were submitted by photographers from 54 countries.

Cash prizes were awarded for first, second, and third places overall.

Additional themes explored are Paralympians and inclusive sports, as well as the socioeconomic impact of sport, the release said.

Learn more.

Copyright 2024 WAVE. All rights reserved.

Scott Kelby to Illuminate The Photography & Video Show 2024: Talks…

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Scott Kelby to Illuminate The Photography & Video Show 2024: Talks…
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Scott Kelby, the celebrated author and CEO of KelbyOne, is set to grace The Photography & Video Show in Birmingham, UK, from March 16-19, 2024, with five insightful talks and multiple book signing sessions. His journey from a starving musician to a leading figure in the photography world exemplifies a remarkable transition, fueled by passion, opportunity, and a touch of serendipity. Kelby’s candid take on embracing AI in photography and his unparalleled contributions to photography education make his upcoming appearances a must-attend for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

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From Keyboards to Cameras

Kelby’s career trajectory is as fascinating as it is inspiring. Initially carving out a livelihood through music, his pivot to the finance sector was short-lived. The leap into graphic design, alongside his wife, laid the groundwork for what would become a pivotal moment in his life. The inception of a local magazine for Macintosh users not only propelled him into the world of publishing but also set the stage for his future endeavors in photography education. His humorous admission that much of his career advancement was not meticulously planned but rather a series of fortunate events underscores the unpredictability and excitement of his journey.

A Best-Selling Author’s Perspective on AI

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In a world rapidly evolving with technological advancements, Kelby’s perspective on artificial intelligence in photography is refreshingly optimistic. His advice to embrace and enjoy AI, rather than resist its progression, speaks volumes about his forward-thinking approach. As a best-selling author, Kelby’s insights into the integration of AI in photography, especially concerning editing and creative processes, are eagerly anticipated by many. His discussions at the upcoming Photography & Video Show promise to delve deep into the implications of AI for photographers, from novices to seasoned professionals.

What to Expect at The Photography & Video Show 2024

Kelby’s presence at The Photography & Video Show 2024 is not just about book signings. Attendees can look forward to a series of talks covering a wide range of topics, including travel photography and the burgeoning role of AI in photography. His approachable demeanor and humorous delivery make complex subjects accessible and enjoyable. Furthermore, Kelby’s unique ability to connect with his audience, drawing from his vast experience and personal anecdotes, ensures that his sessions will be both informative and engaging.

As the curtains prepare to rise on The Photography & Video Show 2024, Scott Kelby’s participation highlights the event as a cornerstone for photographic education and innovation. His journey from musician to photography luminary is a testament to the power of embracing change and seizing opportunities. With AI’s role in photography as a key theme, Kelby’s insights and experiences promise to inspire and challenge attendees to explore new horizons in their photographic endeavors. As we anticipate his talks and book signings, one thing is certain: the photography community is in for a treat.

Ransom Center to Debut Early Photography Exhibit

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Ransom Center to Debut Early Photography Exhibit

A rare opportunity to view the Clarkson Stanfield Album, a superb volume of early photographs by the celebrated Scottish partnership of Hill & Adamson, is coming to the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin. The work endures today as one of the earliest sustained explorations of photography as an art form.

“The Clarkson Stanfield Album is a rare survivor from the earliest years of photography, but with the passage of time, this body of work has come to be seen as not merely ‘early’ but as a powerful body of creative work that fixed in permanent form the lives and aspirations of Hill’s and Adamson’s fellow villagers and neighbors,” said Ransom Center Director Stephen Enniss. “The beauty of this work is its most enduring feature.”

Launching their collaboration in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1843, the established landscape painter David Octavius Hill (1802-1870) and the young photographer Robert Adamson (1821-1848) combined their aesthetic sensitivity and technical brilliance to produce an unparalleled body of portraits, architectural and landscapes scenes, and pioneering social documents. They accomplished this in a medium that had seemed nothing short of miraculous when it was revealed to the public just four years earlier.

During the fall of 1845, they prepared an album of their finest work, arranging more than 100 salted paper prints from their calotype negatives into an elegant folio, and sold it to English marine painter Clarkson Frederick Stanfield (1793-1867). Now known as the Clarkson Stanfield Album, it is one of only a few unique albums assembled during the years before Adamson’s death at age 26.

“Scholars have visited from around the world to study this unique album, and I am thrilled to share it with more audiences,” said Jessica S. McDonald, the Ransom Center’s Nancy Inman and Marlene Nathan Meyerson Curator of Photography. “Sixty years after acquiring the album, this exhibition has provided an important opportunity to reexamine the history and purpose of the album itself.”

Although Adamson’s prints are in remarkable condition, the album that has protected them for over 175 years needs structural repair. Treatment has begun, and the current stage of that long process provides a rare opportunity to view several sections of the album at once before conservators return them to the original binding. The expertise of the Ransom Center’s conservators and preparators has been essential to this exhibition, and to the long-term care of this singular object.

“Hill & Adamson: The Clarkson Stanfield Album” will be on view through June 2. More information is available online at hrc.utexas.edu.

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.

Empowering Future Visions: YOUNG LOCAL ARTISTS Unveils Youth-Drive…

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Empowering Future Visions: YOUNG LOCAL ARTISTS Unveils Youth-Drive…
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In a vibrant celebration of creativity and youth empowerment, the YOUNG LOCAL ARTISTS project, led by BAFTA winner Alison Jackson and supported by Young K&C Charity, has unveiled a groundbreaking public installation at Earl’s Court. This initiative shines a spotlight on the untapped talent of aspiring young photographers from under-represented communities, providing them with unprecedented opportunities to explore and develop their artistic voices.

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Unleashing Creative Potential

Launched to foster the next generation of photographers and artists, YOUNG LOCAL ARTISTS has successfully engaged children and young adults aged four to 24, many of whom had never before handled professional photographic equipment. Through comprehensive workshops, mentorships, and the chance to participate in a major public installation, the project has demystified the world of photography, making it accessible and enjoyable for all participants. The initiative culminates in a striking display of portraits at Earl’s Court, capturing the essence and diversity of the local community through the lens of its youngest members.

Partnerships and Progress

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The installation at Earl’s Court is part of a broader effort to revitalize the area as a cultural destination, with The Earls Court Development Company playing a pivotal role. The company’s CEO, Rob Heasman, emphasizes the importance of integrating public art and cultural experiences into the fabric of Earl’s Court. The collaboration between Alison Jackson, Young K&C, and the development company underscores a shared commitment to nurturing local talent and enriching the community’s cultural landscape. Participants, like 23-year-old Cosmo Gimeno, attest to the transformative impact of the programme, highlighting the invaluable support and opportunities it has provided.

A Legacy of Talent and Inspiration

The YOUNG LOCAL ARTISTS project is more than just a photography competition; it’s a comprehensive educational experience that instills confidence, skills, and a sense of community among its participants. The project’s success is celebrated in a showcase event at Cadogan Hall, marking a milestone in the participants’ artistic journey. The initiative not only highlights the exceptional talent within Kensington and Chelsea but also fosters a supportive environment where young artists can thrive. As the project continues to inspire and empower, it promises to leave a lasting imprint on the hearts and minds of young creatives and the community at large.

Global Art Market Trends 2024: Diverse Paths in a Hyperconnected W…

By in Art World News

Global Art Market Trends 2024: Diverse Paths in a Hyperconnected W…
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Artnet Intelligence Report’s Year Ahead 2024, in collaboration with Morgan Stanley, presents a comprehensive analysis of the global art market, revealing significant regional differences and genre preferences among artists born across the globe. Through a deep dive into auction sales data, the report uncovers how artists from North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and the Middle East have navigated the auction market over the past decade.

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Regional Market Dynamics

North American and European artists dominate the auction scene, contributing to 65 percent of the global fine art auction market in 2023. While North American artists saw a 47 percent increase in lots offered over the decade, European artists experienced a 7 percent decrease. The analysis highlights the steadfast market for Postwar and Contemporary genre among North American artists, with giants like Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat leading sales. In contrast, European artists excel in the Impressionist and Modern category, with Picasso and Monet as top sellers.

Emerging and Declining Markets

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The report notes a concerning decline in the market for Asia Pacific born artists, with a notable dip beginning in 2014. Despite this, the Impressionist and Modern genre remains strong within this region. Conversely, African born artists have seen a volatile yet growing market, particularly in the Ultra Contemporary sector, fueled by online sales and social movements like Black Lives Matter. Latin American and Caribbean markets have remained stable, with attempts to integrate their works into global sales showing mixed results.

Looking Ahead: 2024 and Beyond

The global art market’s future appears multifaceted, with ongoing globalization contrasting with regional market fluctuations. The report concludes by spotlighting key museum openings, biennials, and exhibitions across the regions, suggesting a vibrant year for the art world in 2024. As collectors and galleries continue to navigate this complex landscape, the evolving preferences and market dynamics will undoubtedly shape the art world’s trajectory in the years to come.

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