In a world increasingly dominated by digital content and virtual experiences, there’s something refreshingly tangible about holding a printed magazine in your hands. Since its launch in 2020, quarterly magazine FRAMES has captivated photography enthusiasts by delivering that tactile experience – with the highest quality of paper stock and printing.

But that’s not all! The membership fee also includes access to additional monthly digital publications, a fantastic digital platform, a thriving online community that can help you critique your work, and a series of events in which you can chat directly with world-class photographers.

So what’s on offer, exactly, and how can photographers take advantage? Essentially, there are three main strands to a FRAMES membership, so let’s look at each of these in turn.

1. The print magazine

Each issue of the FRAMES Quarterly Magazine is a meticulously curated collection of the world’s most inspiring and thought-provoking photography across diverse genres and styles. The guiding ethos is simple yet powerful: “Excellent photography belongs on paper.”

This stunning 112-page publication, printed on luxurious 140gsm uncoated paper, is filled with striking images and captivating stories. Contributors range from legendary photojournalists such as Steve McCurry to emerging talents just finding their creative voices.

“We don’t concentrate on any specific style: the common denominator is just great imagery,” explains editor-in-chief Tomasz Trzebiatowski. “So a typical issue might feature gritty street photography alongside serene landscapes and conceptual portraits.”

By paying the utmost attention to printing quality and material selection, FRAMES magazine creates an absorbing, distraction-free experience. Tomasz explains, “We want readers to truly be present with the photography, to appreciate the nuances, colours and emotion in these powerful images.”

2. The digital content

The FRAMES experience extends far beyond the printed page. Members gain access to a wealth of digital content, starting with the monthly FRAMES Digital Companions. These downloadable PDF publications complement the quarterly magazine with additional features, including interviews, photography how-tos and hi-res image galleries.

The digital aspect allows FRAMES to constantly educate and inspire members. As Tomasz points out, “We have talented writers contributing new content regularly, so you’ll always have fresh material to stimulate your creativity between printed issues.”

3. The worldwide community

Perhaps the thing that sets FRAMES apart the most is the lively community of photographers that it connects via its exclusive website and bespoke app. This is where members can truly immerse themselves in a global hub of photographic knowledge and inspiration.

All members gain access to an online forum for sharing work, giving and receiving feedback, discussing techniques and connecting with other passionate photographers worldwide. There are dedicated channels for interviews, editing tutorials, photo contests and more.

“The community is extremely supportive and welcoming to all levels,” notes Tomasz. “Beginners can get advice from seasoned pros, while accomplished artists still find value in seeing different perspectives and styles.”

The crown jewel of the community is the live monthly events featuring legendary photographers such as Martin Parr, Alec Soth, Ami Vitale, Martin Parr and Nick Brandt. FRAMES members have exclusive access to these virtual masterclasses and can engage in direct chats with these iconic practitioners.

“Imagine being able to have a candid conversation about creativity and get feedback directly from one of the world’s top photographers,” says Tomasz. “That’s an incredible opportunity FRAMES provides: it’s like an ongoing photography conference or workshop.”

Seamless experience

We’d suggest that these three individual elements are each, in themselves, worth the membership cost alone. What makes FRAMES so special, though, is how it blends diverse mediums and delivery methods into one cohesive, constantly refreshing photography experience.

So, for example, at any given time, you can:

• Absorb the latest issue of the beautiful printed magazine
• Dig into insightful articles and tutorials in the Digital Companions
• Share and critique your own work, and that of others, in the online forum
• Attend a live virtual workshop with a renowned photographer
• Browse tips and discussions in the FRAMES mobile app

In short, you’re not just subscribing to a magazine; you’re joining a vibrant, multi-faceted photography community that continually sparks enthusiasm, a growth mindset and networking opportunities.

As Tomasz says: “We’ve created a hub that feeds the photography passion through every possible channel: in your hands, on your devices, in live conversations. Our goal is to inspire and educate photographers in as many ways as possible, meaning everyone from total beginners to experienced professionals will find it super-useful.”

So how much does all this cost?

Incredibly, it costs just $17 per month, including free global shipping of the printed magazine wherever you are in the world. And we reckon that represents excellent value for avid photographers of all types.

Whether you’re a professional or an enthusiast, FRAMES has created a global community united by a love of capturing striking visuals and telling evocative stories. As Tomasz says: “We believe in providing a community that inspires people to pick up a camera and let their creativity run wild. That’s the core of what FRAMES is all about – delivering the absolute best photography experience to ignite and nurture everyone’s artistic expression.”

Valentina Sergi (1997) is a fashion photographer with a passion for pastel colors, bold contrasts, and the vibrancy of images. Her professional work has led her to photograph a variety of subjects in exclusive locations, and her photographs have become a constant presence in many well-known fashion publications. However, what truly sets Valentina Sergi apart is her ability to craft an emotionally compelling narrative through the lens of her camera. Colors, the interplay of light and shadows, patterns, people’s hands, the warmth of an embrace, places steeped in nostalgia, and the hidden stories behind a wrinkle are all elements that Valentina Sergi seeks to capture in order to create a pure aesthetic composed of images that oscillate between the real and the surreal.

The A-Mors Series: A Deep Exploration of Love

One of Valentina Sergi’s most significant projects is the series titled A-Mors. This series delves into the theme of love in a profound and provocative manner. It revolves around genuine love, a love that has been eagerly anticipated, yet so strong that it overcomes the fragility of a tender heart. The intriguing wordplay in the title, where “A-Mors” appears to derive from the Latin “a-mors” (without death), underscores the eternity of this sentiment. In this series, Valentina Sergi explores the concept of an eternal love that transcends temporal boundaries. Her photographs capture moments of passion and affection, while simultaneously evoking a sense of transcendence.

Sergi’s works are emotional and surreal, with a strong conceptual underpinning. Valentina understands that photography is not merely the recording of an objective reality, but rather the presentation of stories, concepts, and worlds as she perceives them through her personal experiences, culture, and sensibilities.

Her connection between cinema and photography is evident, and this cross-pollination of the arts allows her to bring innovation to her work. The photographer leaves us with a famous quote by Vincent Peters, who states, “A photograph is not just made with a camera; it is brought to the act of photography with all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.“

As a photographer who specialises in family and newborn images, Louise’s timeless images aim to tell a story about each family. She does this by creating a relaxed and organic atmosphere to capture the raw beauty of the special bond between family members. “If the subjects aren’t fully relaxed, then it shows,” Louise says. “But taking a short break to reset can really help.” Lots of patience is required, especially with newborns but, having young children of her own, she understands what’s required to get the balance between the perfect shot and a happy and calm family.

Louise prefers working in her clients’ homes and shooting with natural light. “For this shot, we were in their apartment, which had high ceilings and was flooded with natural light,” she says. “Capturing babies and young children requires you to increase your shutter speed as there are sudden movements and changes in facial expressions.” With her background in design, Louise uses a mixture of textures and fabrics to create further depth and interest. “The new mother chose a beautiful dress from a collection I have for these sessions. The delicate sleeves add a touch of elegance to the image,” she says.

In post-production, Louise carried out some basic editing steps, adding some texture around the newborn’s hairline to ensure she visually dominated the frame. “Newborns tend to have a red undertone to their skin, which quite often has patches and pimples, so I took the saturation down along with the texture,” she explains. “Once I had removed the main blemishes, the skin appeared much smoother but I avoided heavy airbrushing to keep the subject looking natural.”

Louise B is a London-based photographer. Her career started with working in fashion design, where part of her job was Product Photography. Later Louise worked at at WGSN, a world-leading trend forecasters, with clients such as Vogue and Alexander Mc Queen to name a few. After the birth of her first child, she pursued her long passion for photography, enrolling on a course at the British Academy of Photography. Louise is also a supporter and volunteer for the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) which supports parents through birth and early parenthood. 

Tech details

Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: Nikon 50mm f/1.8
Aperture: f/1.8
Shutter speed: 1/200 sec
ISO: 320

On Friday, April 24, Oppo India held the Oppo Ambassador Conclave in Mumbai to showcase the Find X7 Ultra and announce the Imagine IF Photography Awards contest. The initiative, with renowned director and screenwriter SS Rajamouli as its Indian ambassador, aims to inspire creativity in mobile photography. Oppo launched the Imagine IF Photography Awards globally in 2023, and this marks its inaugural year in India. The first edition of the awards saw over 700,000 entries from 51 countries.

Imagine IF Photography Awards 2024: Contest details, prizes

Participants can submit their smartphone photographs for ‘Round 1’ until June 15th (midnight IST). From these entries, 50 winners will be announced in the last week of June and proceed to Round 2. The second phase will begin in early July, with the final six winners announced on July 25th, 2024.

The competition is open to all Indian citizens over the age of 18. There are nine entry categories: landscape, portrait, colours, unfading moment, fashion, snapshot, light, travel, and collection. A panel of expert photographers will judge the entries, including celebrity wedding and portrait photographer and Oppo Imaging Expert Joseph Radhik, wildlife photographer Arzoo Khurana, fashion photographer Arjun Mark, and other global judges.

The Gold winner will receive a cash prize of Rs 5,00,000, two Silver winners will receive Rs 2,00,000 each, and three Bronze winners will receive Rs 1,00,000 each. Additionally, all five winners will have the opportunity to attend the 2024 Paris Show, receive the latest Oppo phone, and collaborate with Oppo India on photography-led projects. For more information, visit the official event website at https://imagine-if.oppo.com/en/categories/?dataTab=guide. Oppo India encourages all mobile photographers to seize this exciting opportunity to explore their artistic expression and bring their creativity to life.

Oppo Find X7 Ultra showcased in India

These details were announced during the Oppo Ambassador Conclave in Mumbai, which began with the unveiling of the Find X7 Ultra. Unfortunately, the X7 series, despite being one of the best photography-focused phones of the year, is only available in the Chinese market.

Industry leaders, influencers, and Oppo ambassadors attended the event. Rajeev Masand (COO, Dharma Cornerstone), Anubhav Sinha (Director), Sudeep Chatterjee (DOP), Monaz Todywalla (CEO, PHD Media India), and Raj Kamble (COO, Famous) led discussions on the evolution of smartphone photography, AI advancements, and the rise of content creators.

“As an artist, I’ve always believed in pushing the boundaries of creativity, exploring uncharted territories, and inspiring others to do the same,” said SS Rajamouli. “The Oppo Imagine IF India Photography Awards 2024 represents a bold step towards celebrating innovation and imagination in mobile photography, and I am thrilled to be a part of this initiative. Let’s capture the extraordinary, let’s imagine the impossible, and let’s create a legacy of inspiration for generations to come.”

Sushant Vashistha, Head of Digital Marketing, Oppo India, said, “Oppo India is proud to bring the Imagine IF Photography Awards to the country, providing a platform to showcase the incredible talent of Indian photographers… This year, we can’t wait to see some incredible photographs from India being showcased on the global stage.”

My inputs

I was fortunate enough to attend the Oppo Ambassador Conclave, and it was an inspiring experience. The discussions on mobile photography’s evolution were incredibly insightful. Oppo’s dedication to pushing the limits of smartphone cameras is evident, and the Imagine IF Photography Awards serve as a testament to this commitment. I’m eager to see the stunning images that Indian photographers will submit for this exciting contest.

I have been using the Find X7 Ultra for the past few days and I am impressed by its camera capabilities. It is unfortunate that the X7 series won’t be released in India. However, the discussions about Oppo’s commitment to innovation leave me hopeful that the Find X8 series, rumored to arrive next year, will be available in the Indian market.

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