Wildlife photographer to speak in Griffin

Wildlife photographer to speak in Griffin
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Wildlife photographer Ledra Woodlee will discuss her photography at the July meeting of the Griffin chapter of the Georgia Nature Photographers Association.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 2 at the Spalding County Extension Service Office, located at 835 Memorial Drive.

2024 World Sports Photography Awards

2024 World Sports Photography Awards

This image of Japanese gymnast Daiki Hashimoto by photographer Eric T’Kindt topped the Gymnastics category and won the grand prize at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [ERIC T’KINDT]

 
Belgian photographer Eric T’Kindt won the overall prize at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards with his image of Japanese gymnast Daiki Hashimoto at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.
 
T’Kindt was one of 24 gold medal winners at the annual awards, each topping a different category ranging from American Football and Aquatics to Urban & Extreme and Winter Sports.
 

Related Article

 
Below are all the gold medal-winning images. 
 

This image, titled ″Glorious mud″ by photographer David Davies, won the Equestrian category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [DAVID DAVIES]

This image, titled ″Glorious mud″ by photographer David Davies, won the Equestrian category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [DAVID DAVIES]

This image, titled ″A New Superhero″ by photographer Issac Julian Morillas San, won the Other category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [ISSAC JULIAN MORILLAS SAN]

This image, titled ″A New Superhero″ by photographer Issac Julian Morillas San, won the Other category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [ISSAC JULIAN MORILLAS SAN]

Photographer Marcelo Guelber Goes' image of Cristiano Ronaldo during a Euros qualifier against Slovakia won the Football category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [MARCELO GUELBER GOES]

Photographer Marcelo Guelber Goes’ image of Cristiano Ronaldo during a Euros qualifier against Slovakia won the Football category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [MARCELO GUELBER GOES]

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez laughs as teammate Teoscar Hernandez douses him as they celebrate a 9-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game on Aug. 11, 2023, in Seattle. This image, by Lindsey Wasson for AP, won the Baseball category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [LINDSEY WASSON]

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez laughs as teammate Teoscar Hernandez douses him as they celebrate a 9-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game on Aug. 11, 2023, in Seattle. This image, by Lindsey Wasson for AP, won the Baseball category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [LINDSEY WASSON]

This image of the 2023 Strade Biancha bicycle race in Tuscany by photographer James Startt won the Cycling category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [JAMES STARTT]

This image of the 2023 Strade Biancha bicycle race in Tuscany by photographer James Startt won the Cycling category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [JAMES STARTT]

This image captured by photographer Benjamin Lau at the World Table Tennis Champions Frankfurt quarterfinals in November 2023 won the Racquet Sports category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [BENJAMIN LAU]

This image captured by photographer Benjamin Lau at the World Table Tennis Champions Frankfurt quarterfinals in November 2023 won the Racquet Sports category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [BENJAMIN LAU]

Mercedes Russell of the Seattle Storm defends Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever in this photo taken by Steph Chambers at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington on June 22, 2023. It won the Basketball category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [STEPH CHAMBERS]

Mercedes Russell of the Seattle Storm defends Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever in this photo taken by Steph Chambers at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington on June 22, 2023. It won the Basketball category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [STEPH CHAMBERS]

This image, taken during a game between Australia and New Zealand at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in Dharamsala, India, by photographer Darrian Traynor won the CRICKET category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [DARRIAN TRAYNOR]

This image, taken during a game between Australia and New Zealand at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in Dharamsala, India, by photographer Darrian Traynor won the CRICKET category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [DARRIAN TRAYNOR]

Juan Postigo Arce of Spain plays a shot on the driving range prior to the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Northern Ireland on Aug. 15, 2023. This image, taken by photographer Octavio Passos, topped the Golf category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [OCTAVIO PASSOS]

Juan Postigo Arce of Spain plays a shot on the driving range prior to the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Northern Ireland on Aug. 15, 2023. This image, taken by photographer Octavio Passos, topped the Golf category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [OCTAVIO PASSOS]

This image, titled ″The Sprint″ by photographer Tetsu Lee, won the Athletics category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [TETSU LEE]

This image, titled ″The Sprint″ by photographer Tetsu Lee, won the Athletics category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [TETSU LEE]

Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders scores a third period goal against Antti Raanta of the Carolina Hurricanes during Game Four in the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on April 23, 2023 in this photo by Bruce Bennett. This image topped the Hockey category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [BRUCE BENNETT]

Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders scores a third period goal against Antti Raanta of the Carolina Hurricanes during Game Four in the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on April 23, 2023 in this photo by Bruce Bennett. This image topped the Hockey category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [BRUCE BENNETT]

This aerial view of the football pitch in the tussock near Mt Cook in New Zealand by photographer Brett Phibbs won the Venues & Views category at the 024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [BRETT PHIBBS]

This aerial view of the football pitch in the tussock near Mt Cook in New Zealand by photographer Brett Phibbs won the Venues & Views category at the 024 World Sports Photography Awards. [BRETT PHIBBS]

Max Verstappen drives on Las Vegas Boulevard during a Formula 1 race on Nov. 18, 2023. This image, by Cristiano Barni, won the Formula 1 category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [CRISTIANO BARNI]

Max Verstappen drives on Las Vegas Boulevard during a Formula 1 race on Nov. 18, 2023. This image, by Cristiano Barni, won the Formula 1 category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [CRISTIANO BARNI]

England’s Maro Itoje surrounded by Irish players in a maul during the Six Nations at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This image, by photographer Morgan Treacy, won the Rugby category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [MORGAN TREACY]

England’s Maro Itoje surrounded by Irish players in a maul during the Six Nations at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This image, by photographer Morgan Treacy, won the Rugby category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [MORGAN TREACY]

Australian surfer Olivia Ottaway dives under a wave on Aug. 19, 2023 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia in this Aquatics category-winning image taken by Ryan Pierse. As well as this gold award, Pierse also won bronze in the Cycling category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [RYAN PIERSE]

Australian surfer Olivia Ottaway dives under a wave on Aug. 19, 2023 in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia in this Aquatics category-winning image taken by Ryan Pierse. As well as this gold award, Pierse also won bronze in the Cycling category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [RYAN PIERSE]

This image of Luciano Benavides by photographer Pavol Tomaskin won gold in the Motorsports category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [PAVOL TOMASKIN]

This image of Luciano Benavides by photographer Pavol Tomaskin won gold in the Motorsports category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [PAVOL TOMASKIN]

This photograph of Novac Djokovic by photographer Marc Aspland won the Tennis category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [MARC ASPLAND]

This photograph of Novac Djokovic by photographer Marc Aspland won the Tennis category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [MARC ASPLAND]

This image, titled ″Submerged″ by photographer Sean M. Haffrey topped the Swimming & Diving category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. Haffrey also took the silver medal in the Martial Arts category and bronze in Tennis.  [SEAN M. HAFFREY]

This image, titled ″Submerged″ by photographer Sean M. Haffrey topped the Swimming & Diving category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. Haffrey also took the silver medal in the Martial Arts category and bronze in Tennis. [SEAN M. HAFFREY]

This image, titled ″The Dynamic Duo″ by photographer Andrew Moss, took gold in the Boxing category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [ANDREW MOSS]

This image, titled ″The Dynamic Duo″ by photographer Andrew Moss, took gold in the Boxing category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [ANDREW MOSS]

This photograph from the Judo Paris Grand Slam by photographer Victor Joly won the Martial Arts category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [VICTOR JOLY]

This photograph from the Judo Paris Grand Slam by photographer Victor Joly won the Martial Arts category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [VICTOR JOLY]

This image, titled ″Reflection″ by photographer Volodya Voronon, topped the Urban & Extreme category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. Voronon also won a special merit in the same category.  [VOLODYA VORONON]

This image, titled ″Reflection″ by photographer Volodya Voronon, topped the Urban & Extreme category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. Voronon also won a special merit in the same category. [VOLODYA VORONON]

Mikaela Shiffrin of the Unite States competes in the second run of the Women's Giant Slalom during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Soelden, Austria on Oct. 28, 2023. This image won photographer Alexander Hassenstein the Winter Sports award at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN]

Mikaela Shiffrin of the Unite States competes in the second run of the Women’s Giant Slalom during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Soelden, Austria on Oct. 28, 2023. This image won photographer Alexander Hassenstein the Winter Sports award at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN]

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs reaches for the pylon during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on Nov. 5, 2023. This image, taken by Kevin Sabitus, topped the American Football category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.  [KEVIN SABITUS]

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs reaches for the pylon during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on Nov. 5, 2023. This image, taken by Kevin Sabitus, topped the American Football category at the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. [KEVIN SABITUS]

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]

Murals echo Indigenous legacies at Banff Cave and Basin

Murals echo Indigenous legacies at Banff Cave and Basin

BANFF – Brothers Kyle (Eagle Child) Kaquitts and Jarron (Black Bear) Poucette spent countless hours captivated by their grandfather, Frank (Sitting Wind) Kaquitts, as he wove life onto canvas with the dancing strokes of his paintbrush.

Observing and absorbing their grandfather’s teachings set them loose on their own creative journeys, wielding paintbrushes and experimenting with other artistic mediums.

“As kids, every day, we used to go downstairs and paint for hours and hours, and we would spend time with our grandfather’s paintings. He was a true artist and he inspired us,” said Kaquitts. “We want to carry on his legacy.”

The brothers are part of a collective of six Indigenous artists selected to create four-walled murals at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff National Park – each piece depicting aspects of cultural heritage and connection between Indigenous peoples and the natural environment of the Rocky Mountains.  

The mural and mentorship project is a partnership between the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and Parks Canada.

Kaquitts and Poucette, both of Goodstoney First Nation, were determined to honour the relationship of the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda with the museum’s founders, Peter and Catharine Whyte, in their work.

Both were honorary members of the First Nation and Sitting Wind – a renowned artist, actor and Îyârhe Nakoda chief – often visited the couple. He was a young man when Peter started mentoring him.

“I think it was Peter that got him into art school, paying for his tuition and everything,” said Kaquitts.

Catharine, too, was a strong supporter of the First Nation and was given the name Princess White Shield in 1970. She was gifted with regalia made by the Îyârhe Nakoda, intricately beaded with colours of red, pink, white and blue.

The colours enrobe Eyarhey Tatanga Woweyahgey Wakân, or Sleeping Buffalo Mountain, as it is known to the Îyârhe Nakoda, on two of four walls of Kaquitts’ and Poucette’s mural.

“It’s really special that this piece tries to honour her in some way that’s very contemporary,” said Dawn Saunders Dahl, the Whyte Museum’s manager of Indigenous relations and programs.

“It shows how important that relationship still is to the Stoneys today, even though Catharine has been gone for over 50 years.”

The mountain, also known as Tunnel Mountain, is of equal importance to the Blackfoot Confederacy. First Nations of the Blackfoot and Îyârhe Nakoda were among 15 others to lobby to change its name to Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain in 2016.

The peak speaks to the connection many Indigenous peoples have to place and Banff National Park, in particular.

“We have ceremonies here and we share the land for praying purposes with the Blackfoot and with other Nations like the Métis,” said Kaquitts. “We’re trying to bring these relations back and talk about them.”

To inform the mural’s content, the brothers met with Chiniki First Nation elder Henry Holloway.

“He speaks fluent Stoney and he knows that history between the Blackfoot and Stoney and all who shared this land. It’s not just our land. All of us come here to pray and to heal mind, body and soul,” said Kaquitts.

Piikani First Nation artist Kristy North Peigan said the Cave and Basin, in Blackfoot, is known as Natooyi Kiiskoom, or Holy Hot Spring.

In harsh weather on the prairies, especially in winter, the Blackfoot would travel to the site and other cave systems in the area for refuge.

“We wouldn’t stay until springtime, but personally, I would have,” she said with a laugh.

“In my mural, I really wanted to show the spirit of the cave – the fact that you can go in there and not necessarily feel by yourself. I wanted to capture that spirit of the land that was here before us and will continue after us.”

Joseph Sanchez, who grew up in Whiteriver, Arizona, on the White Mountain Apache Reservation and is of mixed Spanish and Indigenous descent, was invited as a mentor with the mural project.

A predominantly self-taught artist in his own right and a founding member of Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., commonly known as the Indian Group of Seven, he called the Cave and Basin mural project an uplifting experience to be a part of.

“I like to think I encourage them to tell and paint about the truth; the truth of who they are and the truth of people and native people in today’s world,” said Sanchez.

“I think you can see that in the work itself. The colours are bright and happy, and really, it’s been a happy time with an incredible group of young artists that have bonded together and with us mentors.

“We’ve laughed endlessly here and that really shows up in the work. It’s also expressing personal viewpoints, which is what this project was really about – who you are as an artist and who your people are in relationship with this place.”

Poucette, Kaquitts and North Peigan’s murals are on display at the Cave and Basin Historic Site until September, along with works by other Indigenous artists Chey Suwatâgâ-Mu, Giona Smalleyes and Brendon Many Bears.


The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.

Eau Claire photographer looks to bring stories of the homeless into focus

Eau Claire photographer looks to bring stories of the homeless into focus

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Taylen Lundequam is a sociology major at UW-Eau Claire and has taken up photography for the past seven years.

He has also worked with Western Dairyland, which game him a better picture of the homeless in the Chippewa Valley.

“Their stories, the stuff that they go through, is ridiculous in my opinion,” said Lundequam.

With his camera, and a friend to keep him company, he is off to look high and low for any stories the homeless are willing to share.

“I’ve definitely gotten quite a few no’s. But I’ve definitely gotten quite a few yes’s,” said Lundequam.

Photographs shown on his Facebook page under the name of “Unhoused of The Chippewa Valley” show those stories.

It is still new, Lundequam has been doing it for a couple of weeks.

“I’m hoping for more traffic. I have a lot already, which is amazing. And, I’ve had people reach out with resources. And, some people offering to pay for food,” said Lundequam.

“There’s a bad stigma about who we are,” said Bruce Caver.

He has been in Eau Claire for two years and is homeless himself.

Lundequam has actually helped him out with finding resources.

Caver’s story will soon be featured on the projects, and he wants people to know he has a job but it was not enough to pull him out of homelessness.

“Be open to say, maybe this person did change their life and I want to help them along their path,” said Caver.

He hopes for empathy.

“People are accepting homelessness. I don’t think it’s something you should accept. It’s human life. How much is it really worth?” said Caver.

Lundequam hopes for him and other homeless people get that empathy too, one snap shot at a time.

“I just want people to be more empathetic. And, for people to open their hearts. Because, there isn’t a lot of that around here, or in the world,” said Lundequam.

He wants to continue the project into the winter months later in the year.

He hopes to highlight the dangers of being homeless in a Wisconsin winter.

More Useful Accessories for Travel Photography From Peak Design |

More Useful Accessories for Travel Photography From Peak Design |

Peak Design has released new gear to complement its growing Travel Cube range. For traveling and adventurous photographers, they may be exactly what we need.

The two new Travel Duffel bags I reviewed recently are not the only new items from the Peak Design stable. Along with them are new Packing Cubes and a small Tech Pouch. These add to their already broad array of gear for photographers like me.

The New Ultralight Packing Cubes

If you are unaware of the Packing Cubes, various travel organizers comprise the range. Usually made from 70D Ripstop Nylon, they are designed to help you organize your stuff when you travel. Now, new options are available with different sizes, colors, and materials. The latest additions include new Ultralight Packing Cubes organizational pouches that give more choices.

Different colors, so what? I often hear people moaning when a new color range is released, saying it doesn’t mean much. I disagree. Color coding makes instant recognition of gear possible. For instance, I use different colored straps to differentiate my cameras on photoshoots. When packing gear, having different color pouches in your bag makes it easier to identify it by sight within my luggage.

Another useful feature is the possibility of attaching a carry strap (sold separately or transferred from other PD gear) directly to these pouches. Thus, you can use Packing Cubes as sling bags.

These new Packing Cubes feature an all-new proprietary material called Terra Shell™, which Peak Design says is the most high-performance and eco-friendly fabric it has ever produced. They have a long and proud history of genuine ethical and environmental awareness, being climate neutral and a member of 1% for the Planet.

The new Ultralight versions of the Packing Cubes have a more simplified design than the originals with just one compartment and one zip, instead of two of each. Moreover, the mesh version of the two new Ultralight Packing Cubes features a stretchy and breathable transparent mesh fabric. That may be useful for packing damp gear, allowing air to circulate. Being stretchy, it can also incorporate oddly shaped items.

To give an idea of size, in the small 10L Ultralight Mesh Packing Cube, I could fit both my OM-1 cameras with lenses attached and have plenty of room to spare. The extra small (XS) 3L version would take one camera with a 40-150mm lens attached to it. I should emphasize that this example is solely to give an idea of scale; I would normally use their more protective Camera Cubes for storing and transporting my cameras.

Meanwhile, the XXS 1L would take half a dozen camera batteries.

The non-mesh Regular Ultralight Packing Cubes are made from a new 100% recycled PFAS-free Terra Shell™ fabric and are secured with a weatherproof UltraZip™.

All these Packing Cubes fold away into tiny packages and are held in place using the elasticated tag loops on the zips.

In use, I found this range a great way to store ancillary equipment like my lens cleaning kit, a bean bag, rolls of film, my hat and gloves, and a dry pair of socks.

Tote Bag

PD has also released a new color, Sage, for their zip-top Packable Tote bag. Made from the same proprietary self-mending rip-stop Versa Heal™ nylon that Peak’s other Packable Totes and Packing Cubes are constructed from, this 12L bag seems exceptionally strong. It features an internal pocket with a pop fastener. The bag folds away into that pocket. Weighing just 2.8 oz, it is a handy bag for your travels.

It’s easy to see this is a superbly made bag. Although this isn’t what it is designed for, I filled it with water, and it didn’t leak. Therefore, I can be sure that packing clothes in it on an expedition up a mountain will keep them dry.

Small Tech Pouch

The original Tech Pouch was one of those things I didn’t need; it was a bit too big for my needs. Imagine an elongated zipped wallet with numerous internal pockets, designed for carrying memory cards, batteries, filters, cables, a cell phone, and other ephemera a photographer needs. I could see its appeal for those who use lots of gear on a shoot, but for me, it was overkill.

PD has released a scaled-down version of the same unit. Half the size of the original model, the one-liter Small Tech Pouch will fit into a coat pocket or the top compartment of Peak Design’s Travel Backpack. Its exterior is made from the same heavy-duty recycled and water-resistant nylon and is held shut with a waterproof zip. I find that a far more convenient size.

It has an internal zipped pocket with three storage slots on the outer edge designed for storing memory cards. That pocket also has enough space for my external hard drive. Adjacent to that, the main compartment is divided into four sections: two large and two small. One of the large sections will take my smartphone and the other a power bank, while the small sections are suitable for four camera batteries.

The other outer edge of the pouch’s interior has three open pockets and a pen holder.

Externally, the two anchor loops are suitable for attaching any of the multitudinous straps available from Peak Design, plus a finger flap to ease carrying the pouch. One thing I think it could have benefited from is belt loops.

The Small Tech Pouch passed my five-minute shower test.

Whether traveling or on an extended photoshoot, this is an incredibly useful tool for keeping your accessories protected, together, and easy to find. As I said, I found its size more convenient than the full-sized two-liter version.

Who Are These Accessories For?

Although much of the gear is designed primarily for photographers, I think people in other fields will be interested in these too, especially those who enjoy adventurous outdoor activities. Having previously worked in the outdoor education industry, I wish I had owned some of this gear when I went on sailing or canoeing expeditions. The Ultralight Packing Cubes and the Tote Bag would also have been a better option than the drawstring nylon stuff-sacks I used to pack gear into when hiking.

What I Liked and What Can Be Improved Next Time

What I Liked About the Range

  • All are very well made and versatile.
  • Different color coding to help identify gear.
  • Waterproof.
  • Components, like straps, will work from other PD gear.

What Could Be Improved Next Time

The small Tech Pouch would benefit from having belt loops.

The price point of the gear reflects the quality, but it may be unaffordable for some.

In Conclusion

As their name suggests, Peak Design is very good at identifying needs and inventing top-quality gear that meets them. Not every item in this range will suit every photographer, but there are photographers, me included, who will find a lot of the gear useful because of its waterproofing and hard-wearing build.

The entire range and their prices are available via the B&H website”