PHOTOS: The past week in stories, photography in the Bow Valley
Some of the stories from the May 23, 2024, edition of the Rocky Mountain Outlook.
PHOTOS: The past week in stories, photography in the Bow Valley
Southwestern announces Albert Einstein sculpture donation and unveiling
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College will unveil a life-sized sculpture of Albert Einstein at our Health & Science Building, Umpqua Hall, on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark
Photographer went to hospital after Magnussen, Perez and Hulkenberg crash
It was a mega hit, the crash involving Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez in Monaco. Especially considering the damage to Perez’s car – little was left of the Red Bull – it was a miracle that none of the drivers were injured. A photographer standing near the accident was slightly less fortunate.
Apparently, the photographer was hit by debris coming from one of the cars and the medical staff around the track then decided to transport the man to the hospital. Fortunately, after a thorough check-up, it soon became clear that there were no serious injuries. With that, the photographer returned to the circuit and was able to resume his duties.
After the accident, the stewards decided not to assign blame to any of the drivers involved. Consequently, no penalties were handed out to the drivers. Kevin Magnussen is probably the happiest about that. After all, the Dane cannot use any penalty points on his licence, otherwise he will be suspended for a Grand Prix.
Minnesota photographer aims to inspire confidence through photos
PINE ISLAND, Minn. — Nicole Mills started taking photos when her daughter was born 14 years ago and now she has found her calling photographing women.
Nicole Mills Photography is a photography business out of Pine Island. Mills has been taking photos for 14 years and has found her calling photographing women and girls.
“When she was born, I knew she was going to be my only one,” said Mills. “I was 40 when I had her. So I had a photograph of every waking moment of her life. My photographs are my memories.”
It took about two years for Mills to become confident in her photography skills. She started out small before eventually moving into a studio. She’s been in her current place for years now and is working on renovating a few things to add more natural lighting. She also wants to landscape her studio’s yard area and turn it into an outdoor shooting spot.
“I started shooting out in my garage and moved to my living room then went to the basement in our new house and then I rented my first studio down the street here, the original bank in town,” said Mills. “Then three years after that we bought this place, so now it’s been three and a half years since we’ve been here. I’ve given up my day job so now this is it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mills has spent the last 14 years fine-tuning her photography and editing skills. She is eager to learn and improve and has found her style that encapsulates a warm and creative undertone to the photo. She loves the creativity she has in her whimsical, almost painting-like photos and loves working with people who are willing to get creative and a little wacky.
Three years ago, Mills began a campaign photographing 40 women over 40. For her, this was a chance to show women how beautiful they are inside and out.
“When a woman loves her portrait so much, all of a sudden that money makes sense to her and that’s an investment in herself and it’s an heirloom that she’s going to hand down to her kids,” she said. “These aren’t just digital files that are going to end up in a drawer. I’m a print photographer. I believe in printing your artwork. I tell all the women when I hand them their artwork, whether it be an album or a folio, I say ‘This is for you now and it’s for them later.’”
Having a nice photo of a loved one can be special. Life can be unpredictable and that is also what makes photography special in her eyes.
“We didn’t know it at the time but I took this on my mom’s 75th birthday and she shortly after was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” said Mills. “Now her physical health has gone down but I’ll never have another portrait like this. We jokingly have to openly refer to it as her funeral and it will be because I will never get another portrait like that. So I tell people you never know.”
The 40 over 40 isn’t Mills’ original idea. A lot of photographers have done projects and campaigns around the same concept but Mills doesn’t mind. For her, this is an opportunity to remind older women that they are still beautiful no matter their age.
“I had no idea that it would be as popular as it was so I wasn’t thinking past the first year but I had ladies that wanted to keep signing up,” said Mills. “I love it because part of the reason why I wanted to focus on girls and women is because my daughter, I wanted to raise her with a positive body image, self-confidence, all the things that I lacked when I was younger.”
She encourages all her models to come in their favorite outfit or a pair of jeans that makes them feel confident and go from there. She has a large collection of big formal gowns for women and children and loves giving someone their glamor moment who might not have this opportunity again.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This year I added an element for every lady that signed up for the campaign,” said Mills. “They got to nominate a princess for her own little, mini shoot where we schedule five or six in one day. They come in back to back. They get half an hour to choose one gown and then we do a little session and then they get one image complimentary.”
In addition to her large dress collection, Mills also upcycles old dresses. She has refurbished many dresses to create new masterpieces, like ones made of ties or covered in sheet music. She doesn’t make them from scratch but takes old dresses people have donated or she has found and creates a new purpose for them. She also has a large jewelry, shoe and tiara collection for her shoots.
During her time doing the 40 over 40 project, Mills has only had two clients leave the session without loving their photos. The other 118 women over the last three years have fallen in love with their photos and even rebooked with Mills.
“They’ve been putting their husbands, their careers, their kids and their house first for so long, they don’t know how to put themselves first,” said Mills. “It’s hard, as an older woman especially, to put yourself first when you have kids.”
Mills is excited to continue this campaign going for as long as women are interested.
“It’s not about feeling beautiful, it’s about seeing their own value,” said Mills. “It’s not purely about them getting them to see themselves pretty but beauty is so much more than the looks. It’s about how you carry yourself and how confident you are and how kind you are. I try to encompass all of those things. I don’t want it to just be about pretty photographs.”
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Maya Giron / Post Bulletin
Sara Guymon is a Post Bulletin business reporter. Guymon grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota. She graduated from New Ulm Public High School and went on to attend college at the University of Minnesota Duluth. While at UMD, Guymon pursued a major in journalism and a double minor in photography and international studies. Prior to coming to the Post Bulletin, she worked as a staff writer for the Brainerd Dispatch. There she covered the City of Baxter and business.
Authentic Photograph of Keanu Reeves Stealing Paparazzi Camera?
Claim:
Photographs authentically show actor Keanu Reeves running away after stealing a paparazzi camera.
Context
The photographs show Reeves running on a set in 2010, while shooting the 2012 movie “Generation Um.” Reeves was “stealing” the camera for a scene in the film.
In May 2024, a viral Facebook post showing photographs of actor Keanu Reeves running while holding a video camera. The post claimed, “Keanu Reeves running away with a camera he stole from a paparazzi.”
The same photographs of Reeves have circulated for years with similar claims on X (formerly Twitter) YouTube (which showed a clip of the actor running with a camera) and as memes.
However, while the photographs and clips of Reeves running with a video camera in his hand were real, the claim that he had stolen it from paparazzi was not. The photographs actually show Reeves shooting a scene for his movie “Generation Um” in 2010. As such, we rate this claim as “Miscaptioned.”
We found the same photographs in an October 2010 article in the tabloid Daily Mail. The article described the scene he was filming:
The 46-year-old actor was seen today on location in New York’s East Village, filming his Indie flick Generation Um.
In the scene he is running away [from] cowboys after he steals their camcorder.
But the happy show did last for long, with the actor covering his face with his hand as he drew closer to the paparazzi.
The Daily Mail credited Splash News, a celebrity photography agency. We found similar photographs from different angles published on Imago Images, a German photography agency. The photographs all confirmed that Reeves was on the movie set for “Generation Um” acting out a scene in 2010.
In a longer clip (available on a YouTube video also incorrectly claiming in its caption that Keanu was stealing from the paparazzi) from the movie, a man in a yellow shirt, cowboy boots and hat can be seen chasing Reeves through the train station at the 46-second mark. That same man is visible in the background of the photograph from the May 2024 Facebook post.
The moments in question captured a scene where Reeves’ character appears to be sneaking up on a group of people dressed as cowboys, picking up their camera from the ground and running away as they chase him through the streets. The scene can be seen at the 27-second mark in the trailer for the film.
[embedded content]We confirmed the scene was actually in the movie, which is available on Amazon’s streaming platform.
The movie was released in 2012, and, according to IMDb, follows a single day “filled with sex, drugs, and indecision” by three adults in New York City.
‘Los Seis de Boulder’ commemorated with public art dedication
City remembering 50th anniversary with dedication of a new memorial sculpture
Photography contest winners named at Cache Creek Nature Preserve
Three winners have been selected in the second photography contest sponsored by the Cache Creek Nature Preserve.
Completed on Earth Day, April 22, the contest was an opportunity for people to visit and explore the 130-acre preserve west of Woodland and elevate public awareness of the area.
Rebecca Tryon, who chairs the Preserves Community Outreach Committee, reported that the winner in the “Professional” category was Peri Hoke, who also won the award in 2023. Winning the “Adult” category for those ages 18 and older was Kelli O’Neill and taking the “Youth” category of those ages 17 and under was Ben Lillge.
Each of the winners will receive a cash prize.
Tryon said Hoke’s entry showed four wood ducks perched atop a nesting pole while O’Neill’s photograph showed a tree swallow protecting its nest from a house wren who was persistently trying to take over the next. Lillge’s photograph displayed a green tree sprout among gray and brown pieces of wood.
Categories are: Adults, ages 18 and older; Youth, ages 17 and under; and Professional. All images must have been taken by the photographer and not photoshopped.
Nature Preserve Executive Director Sheila Pratt said she was pleased that so many people came to the Preserve to observe the natural beauty “and enjoy the wonders and wildlife” of the area.
There were 24 entries in the 2024 contest, which will soon be displayed publicly on the Preserve’s website and at other locations throughout Woodland.
The contest started on March 1 and was designed to encourage people to visit the Preserve during the spring months, when there is an abundance of wildlife and growing plant life.
Wildlife, foliage, and sunsets are always popular photo images, not including Cache Creek itself and the wildlife which call it home. A number of entries this year showed flowers, birds and the Preserve’s pond at sunrise or sunset.
A selection committee comprised of Conservancy Board members and one volunteer judged the photographs.
Combat photographer statue unveiled at Veteran’s Park in Manchester
Officials in Manchester unveiled a statue to honor combat photographers in Veteran’s Park on Friday.The statue highlights the risks combat photographers take to document wars.It was dedicated in a ceremony Friday morning.Veteran’s park was originally meant to serve as a memorial for Union soldiers during the Civil War, but now honors veterans from any era.
MANCHESTER, N.H. —
Officials in Manchester unveiled a statue to honor combat photographers in Veteran’s Park on Friday.
The statue highlights the risks combat photographers take to document wars.
Advertisement
It was dedicated in a ceremony Friday morning.
Veteran’s park was originally meant to serve as a memorial for Union soldiers during the Civil War, but now honors veterans from any era.
Pro landscape photographer Jack Lodge reveals the gear he uses to take top shots of the Jurassic Coast
Landscapes is a brilliant genre of photography that allows you to get out taking photos in the great outdoors so going on hikes with your camera is fantastic for your wellbeing, mental health and creativity!
Based down in Wimborne, Dorset, England, Jack is perfectly placed for landscapes and seascape on the stunning Jurassic Coast. His image ‘Winter at Win Green’ was shortlisted in the Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022 contest, and he runs landscape and wildlife workshops, from Dorset to Snowdonia, all year round.
Here he gives us an insight into his work, and reveals the essential kit he needs on shoots. Be sure to check out his Instagram and website for more inspiration.
“I picked up my first camera, a Canon EOS 100D, back in 2014, just after starting my architectural studies. I wanted to document my travels in Europe and I found the steep learning curve very addictive.
“From that moment on, I fell in love with photography. My love and passion for the great outdoors came at a young age as I grew up in Dorset on the south coast; it’s a playground for exploring the Jurassic Coast, countryside, and magical woodlands.
“I started taking landscape photography seriously in 2017. I fell in love with capturing the changing seasons. Chasing light across the landscape in summer, walking through enchanting woodlands during spring, catching crashing waves at sunrise in winter, and surrounding myself with mesmerizing autumn colours. Capturing the change of seasons quickly became ‘my thing’ and landscapes became my happy place.
“I soon discovered my day job in architecture wasn’t for me, so over the next five years, I planned my journey into taking my photography full-time, and in 2022, I finally took the plunge to go pro.
“Fast-forward to the present day and I’m beyond happy. I run workshops up and down the country, work with big brands, and share my passion with as many people as I can. All I can recommend to anyone who has found their passion in life is to pursue that, surround yourself with good people and friends who support you, and, more importantly, believe in yourself.”
Jack’s pro kit for landscapes
1. Canon EOS R5
The Canon EOS R5 is everything I want in my dream camera for landscapes. It’s incredible for wildlife photography, too, enabling me to quickly switch between shooting seascapes on the coast to kingfishers along riverbanks. I also use the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 A3 printer and PRO-2100 large-format printer, and the images printed from my R5 are simply out of this world, taking me back to the moment I clicked the shutter button.
This is my do-it-all lens, an absolute game-changer for me. It covers 80% of the focal ranges I use most of the time, and as well as being small and lightweight, its optical performance is top level. It’s not as sharp as my RF 15-35mm (which is just unreal) but I’ve never not been happy with a print from this lens, and I’ve made 2m-long panoramas with images taken on this lens before and been impressed.
3. Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM
The Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L is an absolute beast in my lens collection and the one I always go to when shooting down at the coast in winter and wanting crazy front-to-back detail. Plus don’t even get me started on the sunstars this lens produces at f/22. It blows my mind how crisp and sharp the images taken with this lens are – and with little to no flare, too.
This may come as a surprise, but this focal length, along with the Canon RF 100-500mm, is one of my favourites for landscapes and I never leave home without one of my telephoto lenses. For compressing long distant subjects on a cold, misty morning, or quickly being able to photograph a barn owl or red kite in the countryside, it’s incredibly versatile.
5. Arca Swiss D4 geared head
This is a piece of gear that I don’t think I could live without. Once you go from a ball to a geared head, there’s no going back – as geared heads have three dials to enable you to twist them to really fine-tune your camera’s position for more accurate compositions. I’ve found myself slowing down, thinking through a composition a lot more, and wanting to move the head just a few millimetres at a time, to remove branches or distracting elements in the corners of my frame.
6. Kase Revolution magnetic filters
I started out using ND graduated filters, but found them to be expensive and cumbersome. These magnetic Kase filters have been a game-changer. They’re easy to use and I keep the polarizer fitted most of the time and used with caution. I also use a variety of ND filters for longer exposures to help me slow down water or create motion in leaves and clouds.
You might also be interested in the best cameras for portraits and the best lenses for portraits.
Indigenous Traditions Abide at the Hands of Artist Tony Soares
