Celebrating the Fragile Beauty exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington, Another Man will be co-presenting in a panel discussion, titled Alternative Universes in Photography.

Occurring on the last Friday of every month, the V&A’s Friday Lates bring together leading and emerging artists and designers through live performance, film, installation, debate, live DJ sets, and much more. All events are open to the public and free to attend. The theme for June’s programming, Dreams and Desires, sees a variety of artists and performers connect to explore dreams as an empowering form of resistance.

At the Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre at 8.15pm, join Dazed art and photography editor-at-large and AnOther contributor Ashleigh Kane, who will be hosting a talk with leading photographers Maisie Cousins, Juno Calypso, Trinity Ellis, and William Waterworth, who will delve into the role of world-building in art and photography.

Elsewhere in the programming, Italian DJ and producer Ehua will be performing a set, artist Anders Duckworth will be enacting a dreamlike performance through a non-binary lens, artist and illustrator Alex Mein will host a collage workshop inspired by James Bidgood’s seminal film Pink Narcissus, there will be a screening of Nan Goldin’s Sirens, which is dedicated to the first Black supermodel Donyale Luna, among other must-see workshops, films and events.

The V&A’s current shows, Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence, and the newly opened Naomi: In Fashion exhibition will also be open until 10pm. 

This month’s Victoria & Albert Museum’s Friday Late is on at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL on Friday 28 June from 6:30pm until 10pm. See the full programming here.

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Imagine dozing off under the shade of a tree after a long, hot day, only to wake up with a wild cheetah snuggled against you. This isn’t a fable or a campfire tale. It’s the real-life experience of Dolph Volker, a dedicated wildlife photographer and animal enthusiast, during one of his volunteer stints at Cheetah Experience, a sanctuary for endangered species in South Africa.

Volunteering with a Purpose

Dolph’s love for animals started with a deep bond he shared with his dog. After his beloved pet passed away, Dolph found a new purpose in advocating for animal rights and raising awareness about endangered species. His journey led him to Cheetah Experience, where he dedicated his time to caring for lions, leopards, servals, and, most notably, cheetahs.

A Nap to Remember

The unforgettable moment happened on a scorching day when Dolph sought relief under a tree. Little did he know that his nap would turn into a remarkable encounter. As he slept, a cheetah named Eden approached him, curious about his presence. Eden decided to join Dolph for a nap, nestling close to him. The gentle nudges from the cheetah eventually woke Dolph, who was astonished but thrilled by the animal’s trust and affection.

Capturing the Moment

Being a seasoned photographer, Dolph had his camera ready to document this extraordinary event. The photos and videos he took show Eden behaving with unexpected gentleness—nuzzling against him, playfully nibbling, and even licking him. These tender moments not only strengthened Dolph’s bond with the cheetahs but also highlighted his dedication to their protection. His images and videos have inspired many and shed light on the importance of conservation.

An Ambassador for Cheetahs

Known as “the cheetah charmer,” Dolph leverages his platform, including his YouTube channel, to share insights about these incredible felines. His narratives and visuals educate the public about the challenges cheetahs face, such as poaching and habitat loss. Through his work, Dolph hopes to raise awareness and encourage actions to protect these magnificent creatures.

This experience exemplifies how wildlife can interact with humans when treated with respect and care. For Dolph, it was a powerful reminder of his mission: ensuring that future generations can experience the beauty and grace of cheetahs in the wild, not just through photos and videos. These moments of connection highlight the urgent need for wildlife conservation, emphasizing both its challenges and its profound rewards.

Peter, a distinguished alumnus of a prominent journalism school in New Jersey, brings a rich tapestry of insights to ‘The Signal’. With a fervent passion for news, society, art, and television, Peter exemplifies the essence of a modern journalist. His keen eye for societal trends and a deep appreciation for the arts infuse his writing with a unique perspective. Peter’s journalistic prowess is evident in his ability to weave complex narratives into engaging stories. His work is not just informative but a journey through the multifaceted world of finance and societal dynamics, reflecting his commitment to excellence in journalism.

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INDIANA – By early 2025, those purchasing an Indiana hunting, trapping, fishing, or combo license will have the option to purchase their license (for a nominal fee) on a durable card that can withstand harsh outdoor conditions.

To celebrate this highly requested new product, the cards will feature nature and wildlife-themed art from our talented Indiana residents!

Four artists’ works will be chosen for the background options of the durable license cards, and DNR e-gift certificates. Please read the following for more contest information and send any questions to DFWcontests@dnr.in.gov.

Contest Guidelines

• All 2-D art mediums (e.g., photography, painting, drawing, graphic design, etc.) will be accepted, except AI-generated art.
• Artwork must feature a wildlife species, outdoor recreation activity, or natural landscape in Indiana. Please note that judging will favor native wildlife and nature.
• Artists will submit their entries to DFWcontests@dnr.in.gov.
• Please include the following information in the email:
  • Photographer’s or artist’s name
  • Phone number and address
  • For artists under the age of 18: Age and name of parent or guardian
  • The month and year that the photo was taken or the art was completed
  • The location and/or species featured
• Images must be submitted as .jpg or .jpeg files. Physical entries will not be accepted.
• Limit of two (2) submissions per artist. Each submission needs its own email with the relevant information mentioned above.
• Each file must be less than 10MB. Please submit one file per email to ensure the files do not exceed the size limits of state email accounts.
• Department of Natural Resources employees are not eligible to enter.
• Do not include watermarks or signatures on the photo. Such markings will disqualify the photo from the contest.
• Artwork/images can be black & white or color. Any photographs submitted should be recent (taken within the past two years).
• The deadline to submit artwork is Friday, August 2, by 11:50 p.m. ET.
   

In addition to the durable license cards and e-gift certificates, artwork submissions may be used for photo contest promotion and general communications, including the DNR/DFW social media pages, DNR/DFW newsletters, and DNR/DFW websites. Artists will be credited whenever their work is used. If selected, artists agree to allow the use of their artwork without compensation. The artist’s name and city will be featured on the card. A panel of DNR staff, through a rubric-based process, will judge finalists’ submissions.

Winners will be notified via email and announced via social media.

Be sure to follow DFW’s Facebook page and the DFW Instagram account to follow along.

Shooting film can be an expensive hobby, but if you love it, there are ways to make it more affordable. 

Coming to you from Els Vanopstal, this practical video offers 10 tips to save money while shooting film. Vanopstal’s first tip is to talk to people about your interest in film photography. You might find someone who has an old film camera they no longer use. Friends, family, and even coworkers might have cameras collecting dust. Many film cameras are still out there, forgotten and unused. By letting people know you’re interested, you can increase your chances of getting a camera for free or at a low cost.

Vanopstal’s second tip is to avoid high-end cameras like Leicas or Hasselblads when you’re starting out. There are many affordable cameras that work just as well. Affordable cameras are often overlooked but perform excellently. You can find them for around $50 with a lens on eBay. There’s no need to buy the most expensive gear when there are plenty of good, affordable options available, many of which can use your DSLR lenses.

For those who want to maximize the number of photos they get from a roll of film, Vanopstal suggests using a half-frame camera like the Olympus Pen. These cameras take double the amount of exposures on a regular film roll. However, keep in mind that the image quality will be slightly reduced because the negatives are smaller. This can be a great way to stretch your film budget.

Finding expired film is another way to save money. But Vanopstal advises against buying expired film from random sellers on eBay. Instead, check local camera stores or reputable online shops for recently expired film sold at a discount. Expired black and white film is less prone to deterioration than color film, making it a safer bet for experiments.

Choosing less expensive film stocks can also help you save money. Black-and-white film is generally cheaper than color film. For instance, Kentmere 400 costs significantly less than Kodak Tri-X. While there are differences in film stocks, budget-friendly options can still produce excellent results.

Buying film in bulk can also save you money in the long run. If you know what film stock you prefer and can afford the upfront cost, purchasing boxes of film instead of individual rolls can be more economical. Another option is to buy spools of film and respool them yourself, though this requires some initial investment and practice.

Being deliberate with what you shoot is another important tip. Vanopstal suggests reserving film for special projects or intentional shoots. This approach helps preserve film for meaningful work rather than casual snapshots, keeping costs down.

Developing your own film can also save money. Though the initial investment in chemicals and equipment might seem high, it pays off if you’re a regular shooter. Those are just some of the tips, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Vanopstal!