Anyone wishing to view “Out All Night,” the sculpture that currently is on display in the lobby of the Inverness City Hall building, had better do so before either June
‘Owl be seeing you!’ Sculpture to take flight
Capturing the ‘I do’ moments, with wedding photographer Robert Burns II
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark’s advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
You might be surprised by how many brides still flip through the glossy pages of wedding magazines to gather inspiration for their big day, says Charlotte-based wedding photographer and videographer Robert Burns II.
But as with many types of publications, bridal magazines are increasingly moving to digital formats — swapping that satisfying page-turn with a swift click. Burns recently ventured into the world of digital publishing himself, with his new annual bridal publication, BRIDE Magazine.
With over 15 years of experience in photography and a decade specializing in weddings, Burns has seen big shifts in the bridal industry, from where couples are getting married to what they want out of photos and videos on the big day.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Burns talks with the Ledger’s Cristina Bolling about:
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What inspired him to launch a digital magazine.
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Wedding photography and video trends, from drone photos and video highlight reels to quick-turnaround images couples can share before their honeymoon.
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Common mistakes couples make while planning for their big day.
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The “hyper-personalization” trend of inserting small, meaningful details into weddings that reflect the couple.
We hope you enjoy the conversation with Robert Burns II.
To learn more about Robert Burns II Photography & Videography and BRIDE Magazine, visit RobertBurnsIIWedding.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
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Dix Park Conservancy announces new initiative to bring more international artists to Triangle
The nonprofit has launched a new initiative to spotlight the importance of arts in the Triangle.
Medicine, ecology and photography: Tales of extraordinary adventures
Dr. Rand Rudland, a seasoned explorer of medical frontiers and ecological wonders, will present a carefully curated collection of his photographs and projects on June 28 at the Friendship Center in Vanderhoof.
Rudland will be in town to attend the reunion event at Nechako Valley Senior Secondary (NVSS). Born in Fort Fraser, Rudland attended high school at NVSS before pursuing medical studies at the University of British Columbia and McGill University. He practiced medicine in remote locations across the globe and then retired on the Sunshine Coast, where he practiced for 35 years.
During his time off, he worked with the Northern Medical Unit of the University of Manitoba, providing fly-in medical services to many remote Inuit communities across the central and eastern Arctic and the shores of Hudson Bay, while taking advantage of the locations for his photographic pursuits.
His career included stints as a ship’s physician aboard ecotour ships navigating the icy waters of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Arctic Circle. These voyages on vessels like the World Discoverer and the Kapitan Khlebnikov offered him opportunities to photograph elusive wildlife and pristine landscapes in places such as South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Wrangel Island.
Beyond his medical practice and maritime adventures, Rudland’s curiosity led him to explore remote corners of the globe. He undertook natural history tours to diverse destinations such as Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Aleutian Islands, and various Pacific sub-antarctic islands.
These expeditions were integral to his role as a naturalist and photographer, capturing everything from rare butterflies on the Sunshine Coast to polar bears in the Arctic.
Experiencing profound cultural events in remote islands, particularly in Melanesia, has been a deeply moving and memorable event for him, Rudland said. These encounters allowed him to immerse himself in the local traditions and cuisines of these cultures. Rudland captured these experiences in videos and will present them next week in Vanderhoof.
Additionally, photographing some of the world’s rarest bird species, often seen and documented only a handful of times historically, has been a driving passion for him throughout these years.
“Just finding the rarest of the rare species and being able to photograph them and document where they are, I think, has been really exciting,” he said.
As he prepares to reunite with former classmates and friends, Dr. Rudland eagerly anticipates sharing stories of his favourite wildlife encounters, cultural moments, and scenic landscapes.
He said his training as a wildlife biologist in forest ecology will influence many of his presentations. “Everything that I present will be sort of framed in the context of worldwide biodiversity that I’ve been able to photograph,” he said.
Asked about the best part of sharing these stories with people, he emphasized the importance of conservation. “I’ve become sort of a teacher at heart, and maybe I always was, but I always hope that people go away from my presentations having learned something about the fragility of our ecosystems, wherever those may be, and how important it is to protect them.”
“When I was going through a breakdown, I started exploring macro photography… it became my therapy, my way of healing”
In our busy, always-on world, the art of macro photography can be a balm for mental health. When you’re engaged in capturing the intricate details of flowers and insects, it’s harder to focus your attention elsewhere. For many photographers, macro enables them to escape their everyday stressors – on top of being a rewarding and creative outlet in itself.
Canon pro photographer Matt Doogue has been photographing close-ups in nature for over a decade and has found comfort by immersing himself in the beauty of the miniature world. Based in the UK, he has become something of a mental health speaker, and he regularly gives talks on how the slowness of the genre can create a sense of calm and concentration. With a profound respect for the natural world, Matt often describes what he does as photo therapy and credits photography with being a life-saver in his darkest times.
Macro may help with mindfulness, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy from a technical point of view. For a start, you’ll need a dedicated macro lens that’s capable of focusing at close distances. And even then, it can be very challenging to precisely focus on extremely small subjects and manage a shallow depth of field at higher magnifications. One technique that Matt uses to increase the sharpness throughout his images is focus stacking, both manually and using the latest automated stacking features in Canon’s EOS R5 and EOS R7 mirrorless cameras.
Discover how macro helps Matt to stay connected to the present moment, plus the technical skills he uses for the sharpest shots.
Matt has over a decade of experience shooting for the likes of National Geographic and BBC Earth. He’s a dedicated conservationist and uses his social platform – plus school outreach visits as a teacher – to raise awareness and support for environmental issues. Matt is an advocate for mental health awareness and support, having struggled with his own health in the past. His upcoming book, The Complete Guide to Macro Photography, will be released in July 2024.
Hey Matt. What are you working on right now?
I am putting the final touches to my macro photography book, Close-Up: The Complete Guide to Macro Photography and also looking at a new project that doesn’t involve arthropods. It’ll be a more abstract approach this time.
How would you describe your usual approach?
I’ve dabbled in various macro techniques over the years, but have found my sweet spot in a softer, more artistic aesthetic. It’s about capturing not just the subject but its essence, you know? I want to compose shots that reflect the character of what I’m shooting, along with some of its environment or habitat. It’s all about finding that perfect balance between artistry and showcasing the true nature of my subjects.
Why and how did you get into close-up photography?
I actually found photography during a tough time in my early twenties. I was dealing with some mental health battles and found solace in nature. There’s something about the quiet beauty of the natural world that’s incredibly calming. As I started exploring the macro world, photography became more than just a hobby – it became a form of mindfulness for me. Each shot helped me focus, find peace, and truly appreciate the small, intricate details around me. So, in a way, photography found me when I needed it the most.
You often talk about mental health and photography going hand in hand…
For me, photography became this incredible form of therapy, almost unexpectedly. When I was going through a bit of a breakdown, I started exploring macro photography, and it was like a whole new world opened up.
The act of capturing those intricate details, being fully present in the moment, was almost meditative. It allowed me to step away from the chaos in my mind. It wasn’t just about taking pictures; I was expressing myself artistically, and reconnecting with the world in a way that brought a sense of purpose. Photography became my therapy, my way of healing, and I’m grateful every day for how it’s helped me through those tough times.
Talk us through your Canon gear…
I started with a Canon EOS 6D, and while I still have it and use it, I’ve now got the Canon EOS R5 which I switched to in 2022. The latest mirrorless cameras have so many benefits, one being the high ISO range and noise handling performance in low light. I wanted to explore more macro photography in natural light, and I knew the EOS R5 would allow me to push the boundaries of ISO. That’s one of the things I love about the EOS R5; it gives me greater flexibility with my work.
You’ve also played with the EOS R7 and R10, haven’t you?
I’ve tried the in-camera stacking feature found in the Canon EOS R7. Because it captures a series of images with different focus points, internally stacks your frames, and gives you the composite, it saves so much time in post-processing. You can set the increment that you want the camera to adjust focus, from narrow to wide, and then the number of shots you want taken during a single stack. The EOS menu functions are easy to access and understand, opening up focus stacking for amateurs and not just professional Canon photographers.
With macro, when do you use flash?
Flash is recommended the further you go with magnification, as it just makes things easier. The further you increase magnification, the shorter the working distance becomes between the lens and the subject. This means that the working area for available light becomes restricted, and adding a flash, especially at the end of your lens, helps to illuminate your subject and scene. Flash also helps to freeze the photographer’s motion and, in some cases, the subject, resulting in an overall sharper image. It depends on the subject, though.
A shiny beetle’s elytra [wing cases] don’t photograph well with flash due to its reflective surface, so natural light would be my preferred choice. Smaller, more intimate creatures may hide certain details that a flash can help to bring out. Over the years you begin to learn what works best for what subjects and settings.
Macro photography can be very technical. What’s your top tip for beginners?
Buy a second-hand dedicated macro lens and flash if you can. Get used to working at 1:1 magnification and experiment with lighting by photographing objects at home – start with flowers indoors. In the comfort of your home, you can experiment with your creativity and camera gear without worrying about fieldcraft or losing a subject. Then get out there and get lost in an amazing world we often overlook.
A longer version of this interview originally appeared in Issue 214 of PhotoPlus magazine. Click the link below to see our latest special subscription deal!
As well as the best macro lenses, you might want to check out the best cameras for macro photography to really maximize your macro work.
In Ludhiana, as a photographer ‘retires’, a 96-year-old renowned agricultural economist drops in
The Downside of Unplanned Test Shoots: A Photographer’s Perspective |
Invaluable advice on why photographers, particularly those more advanced in their careers, should reconsider the practice of spontaneous, unplanned test shoots in fashion and beauty photography.
Test shoots can be a valuable tool for photographers in order to test lighting designs, familiarize yourself with directing portrait subjects, experiment with new techniques, and building a diverse portfolio. Even so, test shoots arent always the best idea for photographers. Drawing from her extensive experience, photographer Kayleigh June cautions that as photographers progress through their careers, the lack of planning and purpose in test shoots can lead to subpar results and wasted resources.
One of the key points Kayleigh highlights is the need for careful planning and conceptualization. Unplanned shoots can actually have an adverse effect and result in mediocre images that do not add value to a photographer’s portfolio. In that case, what is the point of taking the time to do them? Its important to have a clear vision, and collaborate effectively with models, makeup artists, and stylists to ensure success. Without this, the outcome can be disappointing, leaving photographers feeling deflated and dissatisfied.
Kayleigh June’s video serves as a thoughtful reminder to photographers to prioritize planned, purposeful shoots. This strategic approach not only enhances the quality of their portfolios but also preserves their passion and professional growth.
New sculptures are part of 20th anniversary celebration of the Besthoff Scupture Garden
Celebration of the 20th anniversary began in late 2023.
Photography + Review: Future Islands
Posted: 22nd June, 2024 by The Editor
Future Islands kicked off their tour this week in Boston and set their new era in motion, touring in support of their new album “People Who Aren’t There Anymore”. Thematically, the new record tackles numerous facets of absurdity in life and it was fitting to hear these songs after the week New Englanders have been having. One day, the Celtics are setting world records, the next, our state is breaking record high temperatures.
Future Islands’ vocalist Samuel Herring has previously stated that he wants the audience to move at their shows and it’s no surprise why. From the get go, he used every square inch of the stage to choreograph different dances for each song. When it came to upbeat songs such as “King of Sweden”, Samuel made sure to interact with all the fans on the barricade and get them in sync with his movements. This cascaded into each row behind them locking into a rhythm together. To call this a live show almost feels like an understatement, since it felt more like a theatrical performance.
When it came to slower songs such as “Corner of My Eye” and “City Face’, everyone took a moment to connect and feel the shared space that was a brief moment of release. One thing we also noted was how little phone use there was at this show, even during these quieter moments. It’s fair to say their crowd interaction and choreographed show lends itself to a more “in the moment” show and separates Future Islands from the rest.
All good things must come to an end and that is true for this show as well, however, that isn’t without an encore!. To officially close out the night, Future Islands performed “Ancient Water”, “Vireo’s Eye”, and “Little Dreamer” for their three song encore. This show was true performance art and we’d recommend everyone grab tickets HERE before they sell out.
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Kyle Musser//
Identity Through Photography Vernissage
The Community Digital Arts Hub (CDAH), is proud to present the “Identity through Photography” photo exhibition running from June 27th to June 30th at the CDAH Studio – 460 Ste-Catherine West, Suite 511.
The exhibit is the culmination of a series of photography workshops and features the artworks of immigrant, newcomer and refugee women/LGBTQ+ who participated. The workshops and exhibit were led and curated by Pantea Pezeshkan, an Iranian-Canadian photographer in residence at the CDAH since January 2024, thanks to a DémART internship grant from the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
Participants were encouraged to answer questions around their personal identities and unique experiences, using cameras to tell their stories. They were led through the process of creation, from introductory photography workshops to selecting final works to present. The exhibit will feature 6 artists: Parisa Akbarmalkeshi, Baran Asghari, Sona Javid, Sara Nayerabadi, Alma Perreault, Pantea Pezeshkan.
Please join us for our vernissage on Thursday June 27th from 5-8 PM to celebrate the artists.
Date and Time
Thursday, Jun 27 , 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Event Registration
To register for this event please visit the following URL: https://forms.gle/SPEMqZjYmwFZgYSr7 →
Location
Community Digital Arts Hub, Saint-Catherine Street West, Montreal, QC
