It’s not that I’m against constant lighting or LED lighting, but we can all agree that several of them lack magic. When you’re shooting a photo and the pop of the flash goes off, something happens to the hero of your photo. Suddenly, you’re making something that the human eye can’t see. Much of playing with LED lights involved looking and not seeing — and if you’re an artistic photographer, you’ll understand where I’m getting to with that. Recently, the Hobolite Avant made me realize that a good LED or constant light can help you do both.

What’s been missing from constant lights is magic. By that, I mean a je ne sais quoi that is experienced more than just through the final image. The tool needs to be something that holistically works with you to inspire you to make better images. It should bring you excitement every time you pick it up. Being a low-vision photographer, I’ve realized this more and more. I hear it in the words of everyone who swears by their Ricoh GR camera. With them, it’s not about the tech, it’s about the experience. The conversation is far different from what I hear from Sony bros, Fuji fanboys, and generic Canon shooters. This, instead, is more about the art — which is what you hear from Leica shooters.

In that way, the Hobolite Avant is something more akin to a Leica of LED lights. They’re small, insanely well built, have a nice heft to them, and include settings and attachments that make them very fun to shoot with. Screwing it onto a light stand is a process that intentionally makes you think carefully about it instead of making the process brainless. That’s because of the design of the mount — which can also attach to equally well-built grip gear that Hobolite provides. Truthfully, it feels like something that I’d find in the buy-it-for-life sub-reddit.

The knobs and buttons of the Hobolite Avant all remind me of retro-devices. They remind of the early 90s when my immigrant parents had a television that didn’t even have a remote control. Instead, we’d need to walk up to it, turn knobs, press buttons, etc. But the Hobolite Avant doesn’t have bunny ear antennas for radio control. However, there is Bluetooth built-in.

Truly, though, when working with this light, I really want to get up close with it and work with it. Using the bluetooth is a means to an end that removes the tactile operation. It’s similar to shooting a photo with your phone vs a dedicated camera. A dedicated camera is a completely different hardware-based tactile operation. And truly, I get joy out of operating the product by turning the knobs, pressing the buttons, etc. I enjoy that there isn’t a touchscreen because the entire experience is supposed to feel really retro.

And really, that’s what I want. When I work with something, I want to be motivated by the tools that I use. When I chop vegetables in my kitchen, I enjoy using my Victorinox knives — which aren’t pricey but are really sturdy while feeling great. I purposely write poetry in cursive with either Montblanc or Lamy pens because of the entire tactile feeling. The keyboard I’m typing this article on is a Das Keyboard, and it beats the crap out of Apple’s own keyboards. The sensory experince really helps me become closer to what I’m making.

Part of what makes the Hobolite Avant so fun are the preset lighting patterns. There’s one that mimics the look of flames, flashes, etc. It helps add some mystery to your images and allows for creative accidents to happen that add to the fun factor of it all. Sometimes, those can be the best images.

My inspiration for working with LEDs, however, came from an idea that I wanted to play with for a while. Several years ago, we interviewed photographer Clement Morin about his Light Spirits photos. It gave me an idea to work with shadow puppets and shadows in general. I’ve always found shadows so beautiful in the way that they can tell a story without being too obvious. Instead, they’ll lead our mind to think about something instead. The Hobolite Avant, with its flame setting and modular color setting, helped me figure this out a bit more.

The light comes with barn doors which help you really direct the lighting the way that you would on a movie set. So after setting up some shadow puppets that I got from Amazon really cheaply, I did some multiple exposure work in-camera with the Canon EOS R. Then I edited the images to have a black and white, gritty, noir feel to them. The images feel a tad creepy though also a bit fun.

I’ve truly never had an experience with an LED light like I have with the Hobolite Avant. They’re far more affordable than Profoto lights and have a lot of tactile beauty to them. Yet at the same time, I wish they made a flash that can deliver on the magic that Profoto’s strobes can make.

SUMMARY

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. For NewsHour’s “Hidden Histories” series, we learn about Corky Lee, a photographer who chronicled the daily lives, struggles and contributions of Asian Americans, a community that is often marginalized, unsung and unseen.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

• Who was Corky Lee?
• When did Lee start taking photographs?
• What subjects from history did Lee cover?
• Why did Lee want to feature Asian Americans in his photography?
• How does Lee’s work covering protests (see photo below) support his belief in the idea of “photographic justice”?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

Corky Lee said his life’s mission was the pursuit of what he called photographic justice, changing America one photograph at a time. What photographs stood out to you from this piece and why? Outside this piece, was there a photograph you came across or took yourself that changed or affected you in some way? Explain.

Media literacy: What else would you like to know about Lee’s life? What questions would you want to ask him if he were alive today?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO:

• What do you know about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and the treatment of Chinese workers on the railroad? Why do you think Corky Lee took this photograph?

• With a peer or family member, take a look at a few of the photos below. Why do you think Lee took each of the photos? What feeling do you think Lee was trying to capture in each of the photos?

• According to the NewsHour piece, Lee was present taking photos of when Chinese Americans took to the streets of New York in 1975 to protest the police beating of a Chinese American man. He was also in Detroit in 1983 when protests erupted over the lack of prison time for two white men who had pleaded guilty to killing Vincent Chin. Learn more about the story of Vincent Chin here or watch the clip Revisiting ‘Who Killed Vincent Chin?’, Asian American Civil Rights Nearly 40 Years Later.

Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each week.

SPOKANE, Wash. – We are in prime season for special events. Whether it’s graduation, a wedding or even just a family gathering, a photographer is a crucial part of capturing life’s most precious moments. Once you find and book one, you’ll likely have to sign a contract and pay your deposit, but what protections do the consumers have if the photographer doesn’t hold up their end of the deal?

“We are not the only ones who have important photo moments,” Keri Elkins said. “This is something we don’t want another family to have to go through.”

Keri shared her story after she said a family photographer stood them up not once but twice, missing an incredibly important family milestone.

“It is a lot of money and this may be a side gig for (a photographer) but to us, this was really important,” said Keri Elkins.

Keri so badly wanted the precious moment her youngest child was officially adopted into their family of eight frozen in time. A Spokane County judge was set to make them complete and she wanted to capture it all.

“Making a special moment out of that and kind of cementing that is really important to us,” she said.

She’d worked with family photographers before, and a new one was recommended. Keri did her homework. She saw the photographer’s photos and particularly loved how she captured adoptions.

“We did a lot of research,” she said.

Keri filled out the contract and paid the deposit. But on the day of her youngest child’s adoption, she says the photographer was nowhere to be found.

“We all waited about 30 minutes before we started because we anticipated our photographer was going to show up,” she said.

The proceedings had to go on.

“I want to try to think the best of someone, I’m texting her saying we are in courtroom so and so we haven’t seen you yet…and no response,” she said. “Finally, the next day, she said, I didn’t get any messages.”

The photographer said there was an issue with her cell phone, and quickly refunded Keri’s money.

“I thought okay, it was a mistake and that happens,” she said.

So, the family suggested a do over. Once again, Keri says she paid the fee and got her family of eight camera ready here at Manito Park.

“Same outfits, did all the hair, little boys running in the dirt, trying to keep everyone clean,” she said. “We waited about an hour and she didn’t show up again. I thought what in the world.”

Later, she got a response.

“She said I’m sorry I was in a car accident, I’m really sorry… I’ll get your deposit back,” she said. “Now it’s been about a month and half, we have been back and forth on text messages and emails.”

And as time ticked on without that deposit sent back. She called our Help Me Hayley.

“I thought, we signed a contract saying we will be there, we will deposit our money but what happens to us,” she said. “There was no contract for us saying, what if you don’t show up?”

A valid concern, and one the Better Business Bureau says they know many consumers looking for a photographer share.

“Do the research,” Dale Dixon with the BBB said. “Make sure they have a good reputation, that they are responsive.”

Next, Dixon says read reviews on multiple platforms, not just the photographer’s website. Google them. And if at all possible, try to connect with former clients directly to get their honest feedback.

“Did they deliver exactly what they promised, were they timely, any surprises,” Dixon said of questions to ask.

And finally, use your credit card to make disputing a charge for services not rendered.

In the end, Keri’s bank helped her recoup the money but said it’s possible the photographer will still walk away with their money as they don’t always pursue the lost funds.

We did reach out to the photographer in question directly through their website but never heard back. We were unable to verify if they are still operating and seeking new clients.

A freelance photographer who works at KHQ heard about this incident and stepped up, offering to photograph Keri’s family free of charge. 

American fine art aerial photographer Donn Delson is one of seven Los-Angeles based American photographers being shown at Photo Independent, London’s first inaugural exhibition Visions Unbound: A Photographic Journey Through American Eyes at Cromwell Place from the 21st of May to the 26th of May 2024. On display at Cromwell Place will be Delson’s pieces Space Invader, Headdress, Abacus, and Feathered.

At 75 years young, Donn Delson specialises in large-scale, often abstract aerial images shot from “doors off” helicopters at heights up to 4000 meters (12,000 feet), his artistry quite literally reaching new heights. Strapped into a doorless helicopter over two miles above the earth, Delson has spent over 300 hours watching the world from a bird’s eye point of view. Donn’s travels have carried him throughout the world, from Japan to The Netherlands, England to Israel, and across the United States.

Flying doorless enables Delson to lean out and/or straight down to photograph clearly and crisply something that excites or inspires him far below; often a chance sighting of symmetric patterns and textures, whether man-made or natural, colourful or not, evokes in him a sense of balance and harmony and peace.

His images are often not planned captures, but rather serendipitous sightings, named to reflect what they may resemble from high above, but not what they actually are in reality. Often taking on an entirely new identity, and aptly named, they become a transformative experience for the viewer, allowing collectors to enjoy the world from an entirely unique perspective.

Looking out of the helicopter with the wind in my face and the magnificence of the world stretching out below, seemingly without end, the only thing I can be is in the moment.

Donn Delson

Delson’s current camera of choice is the Fuji GFX 100, enabling him to capture images at 102 MP. To make his large-scale images crisp and clear, Delson shoots at high speeds in burst mode, which on the GFX is 5 frames per second. This helps him ensure that while the first and last few frames might not be in perfect focus, usually the few in the middle of the burst will be so, enabling him often to enlarge the images to sizes upward of 4 to 6 meters.

Delson’s large-scale, limited-edition images are printed on the highest quality archival paper using Fuijiflex Crystal and mounted beneath clear acrylic glass with no perimeter frame to encumber the viewing experience. Presenting his work through unconventional framing, viewers can experience the same unrestricted high-altitude views and perspectives he does, while keeping both of their feet planted firmly on the ground.

One of the pieces for which Donn is best known is Xylophones in his Points of View Collection. The image was captured in 2016, as he flew over the Port of Los Angeles.

In 2017, Delson flew over Times Square at twilight. The genius of Piet Mondrian’s Broadway Boogie Woogie, with its chock-a-block colors, shapes, and sizes, was the inspiration for his flight as he hoped to photographically recreate the myriad colors and shapes of Mondrian’s famous artwork, enhanced by the twinkling of thousands of lights. Delson was so mesmerised by the spectacle below that, for a few seconds, that he almost forgot to snap the shutter.

See also

Taking creative inspiration from abstract artists such as Piet Mondrian, Paul Klee, and Mark Rothko, the immersive experience of viewing the world from such vantage points and unique perspectives has become a hallmark of Delson’s artistic expression.

Represented by galleries in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Philadelphia, Delson’s impactful creations grace a diverse and loyal base of private, corporate, and commercial collections worldwide. His next solo show is scheduled for January 2025 at Axiom Contemporary in Scottsdale, AZ.

During Delson’s recent two weeks shoot over the Hawaiian Islands, he was flying “doors off” early one morning over Molokai through a light rain shower and found himself smack in the middle of a rare double circular rainbow. Fortunately, a photographer friend in the front seat was able to take a video of him shooting through the centre of the rainbow. On the ground, because of the horizon, we usually see only the top half of the rainbow as we envision the “pot of gold’ at the end.

From Donn’s perspective 1000 meters up, he found the treasure chest in being able to be physically inside the rainbow for a few moments and to have that gift captured on video. The video has been viewed more than two million times on his site, and more than an estimated three million times additionally on multiple other sites including CNNArabic, which interviewed him for that clip.

Visions Unbound: A Photographic Journey Through American Eyes opens from the 21st of May to the 26th of May 2024 at Cromwell Place

©2024 Donn Delson

Art Plugged is a contemporary platform inspired by a relationship with the broader arts communities. We provide our audience with curated insight into the world of art, from exhibitions to artist interviews and more.

T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA and Photo Provided
Daniel Caron holds his exhibit piece that will be on display in the Belmont County Heritage Museum for the entire month of May.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Area residents can look at life in the local area through a different lens on Thursday, when the Ohio Valley Photography Club hosts a reception at the Belmont County Heritage Museum.

The photography club is currently doing an exhibition at the Heritage Museum for the entire month of May that displays photographs taken in Belmont County. The exhibit features over 20 photographs of Belmont County from photographers of all levels of experience. The reception will take place from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, alongside the Art Walk presented by the St. Clairsville Main Street Small Business Association. Multiple pieces of the exhibit will be for sale, and light refreshments will be available to everyone in attendance.

“Members of our club have a wide range of talent and interests, subscribing to the idea ‘the best camera is the one you have with you,’” the club states in a release. “While we do critique each other’s work, if prompted, it is always with the understanding that each artist is developing a unique and individual style. Some members sell their work while others are strictly hobbyists.”

“The Belmont County Heritage Museum is hosting a photography exhibit by the Ohio Valley Photography Club throughout May, featuring images taken in Belmont County. Club members have captured the county’s beauty in various seasons from historic buildings to beautiful outdoor scenery,” according to the Belmont County Heritage Museum website.

“All these photos were taken in Belmont County. That was what we asked them to do, and I think it turned out great,” museum Manager Cathryn Stanley said.

Stanley added that this is the second year that the Ohio Valley Photography Club has exhibited in the Belmont County Heritage Museum but the third time they have collaborated together.

There will be over 20 St. Clairsville businesses participating in Thursday’s art walk. Its goal is to support local artists while supporting local businesses.

Among the businesses and artists taking part in the art walk are: Cedar One Realty with Creating Hope Art and Culinary Arts by Heidi Riley; Restore Yoga and Wellness with Tina Oxley Art, mixed media and watercolor; Zel Properties with Jean Fitzgerald and Yellow Sky Designs by Sarah; Fur Pet’s Sake with Bob Dombrowski Art; Giancinta’s Gelato and Cafe with music on the deck with Gerald; River Valley Designs with Permanent Jewelry; St. Clairsville Public Library with Susan Pogany.

Held throughout the historic district on St. Clairsville’s Main Street, the event is free of charge and anyone can walk from shop to shop viewing the artists’ wares.

The Ohio Valley Photography Club is a group interested in the art of photography. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the Wheeling vicinity. If interested you can contact the Ohio Valley Photography Club on Facebook or email ohiovalleyphotoclub@gmail.com.

By Carolina Piras For Mailonline

Published: 18:59 EDT, 13 May 2024 | Updated: 19:02 EDT, 13 May 2024

Naomi Campbell exuded elegance in a black midi dress as she led stars at David Bailey and Mary McCartney’s DOUBLE EXPOSURE photography on Monday.

The supermodel, 53, posed alongside the photography icon, 86, as she sweetly hugged him. 

The fashion icon looked ageless as she stunned in the chic garment with shoulder pads teamed with stiletto heels, enhancing her slender frame.

Naomi beamed with her long-time pal and fashion photographer – particularly known for his role shaping the image of the Swinging Sixties.

The duo put on a very heartfelt display as the model embraced him, while David sat and seemed to enjoy a glass of orange juice.

Naomi also posed with the other star of the night Mary, 54.

The daughter of the Beatles’ icon Paul who is also a photographer and documentary filmmaker, looked classy in a bejewelled black blouse.

She teamed her look with smart trousers and open-toe chunky sandals, while carrying a vintage camera with her the whole time.

The pair also posed with Aman Resorts chief operating officer Roland Fasel. 

During the private exhibition – which took place at Claridge’s ArtSpace – the runaway queen rubbed shoulder with Katy Wickremesinghe, who looked gorgeous in a black sequinned jacket, white top and pleated fuchsia maxi skirt.

Naomi caught up with some other modelling icons including Marie Helvin, 71, and Penelope Tree, 73.

Penelope – who rose to prominence during the swinging sixties – sported a black and white argyle-patterned and classy black trousers with stiletto boots.

Meanwhile icon cover superstar Marie – who has been married to David from 1975 to 1985 looked stylish in all-black look with a shirt, flared trousers and sandals.

 

Mary enjoyed the company of her younger brother James, 46, as the pair beamed happily celebrating the photographer’s milestone success.

More of the talented family came around for the special exhibition, as the Beatles’ brother Mike, 80, who is also himself a musician, was in attendance.

David’s wife and former model Catherine (neé Dyer), was also in attendance to support her beloved husband.

She looked effortlessly stunning in a smart black co-ord with fitting blazer. 

The couple has been happily married since 1986.

Sculptor and designer Daniel Lismore ensured to catch the eye in a typically quirky ensemble made of different fabrics tailored together, with a turban and a metal crown, while posing with Mary.

Famous English socialite Henry Conway was also in attendance of the event as he sported a white shirt, cream trousers and a tailored coat.

Elsewhere, designer and influencer Pegah Pourmand looked effortlessly chic in a black blazer with white details and grey snake-skin knee boots.

By Bethan Edwards For Mailonline

Published: 18:55 EDT, 13 May 2024 | Updated: 19:08 EDT, 13 May 2024

James McCartney seemed in good spirits as he joined sister Mary at a photography exhibition at Claridge’s ArtSpace in London on Monday evening. 

The lookalike son of the rocker legend Sir Paul McCartney, 46, dressed cool at the event in a black leather jacket and checked shirt. 

The musician added a pop of colour to his outfit with a pair of eye catching blue metallic boots as he posed for photos.

Meanwhile his older sister Mary, 54, looked stylish in a smart black blouse, tailored trousers and a pair of sandals. 

The siblings were in good spirits as they mingled with friends and posed with their uncle Mike McCartney. 

Elsewhere at the event, supermodel Naomi Campbell showcased her incredible figure in a sleeveless black midi dress which she teamed with coordinated heels. 

After largely shunning the limelight, even working as a waiter in Brighton, James later followed in his father’s musical footsteps.

His first two-and-a-half years were spent on the road with his parents as they toured with their group Wings.

He later played guitar on Sir Paul’s records Flaming Pie and Driving Rain as well as The Light Comes From Within – a track he recorded with his mother before her death from breast cancer in 1998.

He released his debut single Available Light in 2010 before releasing his first album Me in 2013 and his second, The Blackberry Train, in 2016 – both co-produced by his father.

He previously said he had aims to be ‘better than the Beatles’.

‘When I got to a certain age, I realised that I was somewhat better than other kids at school at guitar and took pride and enjoyment in that,’ he told the BBC in 2012.

‘I then dreamt of being better than The Beatles. I’m not sure if I can do that. If anything, I would love to be equal to The Beatles – but even that’s quite tough.’

He also revealed he was considering forming a group featuring the offspring of the Fab Four, including Ringo Starr’s son Jason, 54, Lennon’s youngest son Sean, 46, and George Harrison’s only son, Dhani, 43.

As well as James, Paul is also father to three other daughters with late wife Linda – Heather McCartney, Mary McCartney, Stella McCartney.

The rocker then welcomed daughter Beatrice, now 19, with Heather Mills, who he was married to from 2002 to 2008.

Paul has been happily married to Nancy since 2011.