Kishin Shinoyama, who took one of the final and best-known shots of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, has died aged 83.

Japanese photographer Shinoyama spent a few days with John and Yoko in 1980 and his photo of the iconic couple kissing was used on the cover of their album Double Fantasy.

The shot would prove to be one of the very last of the pair as Lennon was murdered outside his Manhattan apartment on December 8, 1980.

Shinoyama claimed credit for directing John and Yoko’s kiss, later saying: “I think it was their happiest moment. I was fortunate to have been there and I feel privileged to have captured the moment.”

Biography

Shinoyama was born in Tokyo in 1940 and studied photography at the Nihon University College of Arts. He started freelancing in 1968 for an advertising agency and rose to prominence for his portraits of Yukio Mishima — a celebrated but controversial Japanese author who committed suicide not long after posing for Shinoyama’s lens in a series of macabre photographs.

“Time continues to die and photography is a tool to record those dying moments,” Shinoyama said in an interview with Japanese essayist Ririko Amakasu in 2014.

Shinoyama also causes a sensation after taking a series of artistic nude photographs of Japanese actresses Rie Miyazawa and Kanako Higuchi. The photos of Miyazawa sold 1.65 million copies.

He continued to explore nude photography; however it landed him in trouble when he was ordered to pay a fine for public indecency and blasphemy by a Tokyo court in 2010 after he took a series of photos of naked women in a cemetery in the Japanese capital.

The sentence prompted debate in Japan over whether the authorities impinged on freedom of expression but Shinoyama was stoic about his punishment. “I have been taking nude photos outdoors since the 1960s. But (whether the act is considered an offense or not) is determined by the mood of the time. It cannot be helped,”The Japan Times quotes him as saying. “There is no complete freedom in terms of expression.”

Shinoyama did not limit himself to just one genre: he took photos of victims of the March 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Fukushima. When asked what he was going to shoot next, he said ” “I don’t know. Ask that moment in time.”

During the 2010s he held a number of highly popular and successful touring exhibitions culminating in a large-scale exhibition at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum in 2021.

He even coined the word “Gekisha” which means the act of capturing a defining moment of an iconic figure which became a buzzword in Japan.

Shinoyama died of old age on Thursday. He was married and had two sons.

Image credits: Photographs by Kishin Shinoyama

Jason Koxvold’s new photo book, Engage and Destroy, is a typological survey of soldiers before and after their seven-month training and a rare insight into the military’s human production line

January 05, 2024

The debate on whether photography is an expressive art form ignites passionate discussions among photographers and art enthusiasts. This subject is particularly pertinent, as it delves into the essence of their craft: is photography about capturing moments as they are, or is it about creating something entirely new?

Coming to you from Carey West, this insightful video argues that certain types of photography, particularly landscapes, street, and wildlife, are less about creation and more about capturing what already exists. It challenges the conventional notion of photography as a purely creative pursuit. Instead, it positions photography as an art of observation and capturing moments. West highlights a key aspect of photography – its reliance on external elements. Unlike music or painting, where artists often start from scratch, photographers work with elements that already exist in the world. This external focus means that photographers must be adept at recognizing and capturing moments, rather than creating them from their imagination — at least in certain genres.

Another significant point raised in the video is the role of luck and spontaneity in photography. Unlike music or other art forms where the creation process is more controlled and prolonged, photography often relies on fleeting moments. This aspect makes photography unique, as it requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to capture the essence of a moment quickly and effectively. This reactive nature of photography is what sets it apart from other art forms, where the artist has more control over the creative process.

West offers an intriguing perspective on photography, challenging photographers to rethink their approach to their craft. He emphasizes the importance of being present, observant, and quick to react, rather than solely focusing on the creative aspect. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

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The GTA Online weekly update always brings something exciting for the community, and the ongoing Wildlife Photography Challenge for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players is one of them. While the task is relatively simple, searching for some of them can be challenging.

Some animals, like cows and dogs, are in abundance and can be seen roading across the map; others, like the cormorant, can be a little tricky to spot. These flying creatures, while distinct, can be confusing to find among other animals with wings in the air.

Well, this article will provide you with some of the best locations where you can find this bird in GTA Online and easily click their picture.

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Cormorants can be found in several places across the map in GTA Online

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The GTA Online Wildlife Photography Challenge has opened a great way for players to explore the map and check out all the cool animals that Rockstar Games has added to the free mode on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game. Not only are there pets roaming around the city, but there are wild animals in the forest as well.

Now, one of the best places to locate a cormorant in GTA Online is by visiting a marsh. These Pelican-like creatures love to fly over these areas, and players can easily photograph them from the ground. The first of the two locations where you will witness this creature is the Lago Zancudo marsh, which is south of Fort Zancudo in Los Santos.

The second place where one can click a picture of the cormorant is the Grand Senora Desert. Players can find these birds flying over the sky in flocks. Since they are pretty slow, it is easy to take a good shot on the first try. Apart from this, players can also spot it in the Mount Chiliad State Wilderness area.

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Users can unlock and purchase the Declasse Park Ranger to make the whole event even more epic by driving a ranger car across the wilderness looking for animals. Similar to the event, this opportunity is currently only available for players on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

The ongoing weekly update has also brought several other events and money-making opportunities by offering 2x cash and RP on certain tasks and Adversary Modes in GTA Online. Players can use them to stack a lot of money without engaging in anything stressful.

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Is it possible to purchase a high-quality camera, lens and even a tripod with a budget of under $600? The answer might surprise you!

To do this, I chose to purchase used items. The prices for the equipment I mention are all from reputable companies such as KEH, MPB, B&H Photo and Video, Adorama, and Used Photo Pro. These companies thoroughly check their gear and offer warranties. You will most likely be able to purchase these items used on eBay and elsewhere from private parties.

Camera

I looked for a professional camera that would still be able to take outstanding night photography photos. I knew I had to find one that was a little long in the tooth to fit the bill. The Nikon D700 fit the bill, although you may be able to find some others. The Nikon D700 full-frame DSLR offers a robust weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, two SD card slots and much more. I used to meet photojournalists who used this because they said that it would never fail them.

Yes, it’s only 12.1 MP. The upside of this is that it does very well in low light. With 12.1 MP, you can still have enough resolution to create large poster-sized prints. I’ve seen night photography prints taken with this camera at poster size, and they looked fine.

As of this writing, I was able to find used Nikon D700s for sale under $200 at reputable companies.

What other cameras can I use?

You may use many other cameras. It doesn’t have to have professional features or full frame, and it doesn’t have to have dual SD slots or a robust build. It does, however, need to have manual controls. Many DSLR or mirrorless cameras have manual controls.

Lens

Because I selected a Nikon D700, I chose a full frame lens, a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC (with AE Chip) Manual Focus Lens. Although inexpensive, it’s surprisingly sharp. It has a wide aperture, perfect if you wish to do high-ISO Milky Way photos. Many night photographers love to capture an enormous part of the night sky, so this ultra wide lens fits the bill quite well.

The lens is manual focus. However, this is not unusual, as most night photographers don’t use auto-focus. The stars are too dim for almost all cameras to focus. Not to worry, there’s numerous ways to focus manually.

For focusing on subjects, you could use auto-focus, of course. But here, you’ll have to light up the subject and focus on it or use several other methods of focusing at night to get your subject good and sharp.

As of this writing, I was able to easily find used Rokinon 14mm lens for around $170.

Tripod

When you select a high-quality night photography setup, you never overlook a quality tripod. You are going to be fiddling with a tripod almost as much as the camera or lens.

A tripod must be rock solid, both to produce a sharp image as well as to keep your precious equipment safe. 

I went with a Manfrotto 190X 3-section aluminum tripod. This supports 15.4 pounds while still achieving a maximum height of 63 inches.

An aluminum tripod is a little heavier than carbon fiber tripods. However, this can be a good thing, especially in high-wind areas. And as a bonus, aluminum tripods are more inexpensive.

As of this writing, I was able to easily find a used Manfrotto 190X for under $130.

Ball head

While I was looking for the tripod, I was able to find some great deals when purchasing it with a ball head used. One place sold the Manfrotto 804RC2 ball head with the 190X for $130! If you can find a bargain like this, you could keep this entire night photography kit under $500!

If this isn’t possible, you can find decent ball heads for under $50, even brand new. A new Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head is also inexpensive but has a load capacity of almost 20 pounds, which is decent.

More thoughts about our $600 night photography kit

The total price for the total price, including the new Manfrotto 494 ball head, is approximately $565. If you shop around or vary the items a bit, it’s possible to get this under $500.

In putting together this ridiculously inexpensive night photography kit, I assumed that you would want to photograph anything that the night threw your way. You would be able to use this to photograph the Milky Way in very dark skies. But you would also be able to use it for other scenarios, such as mixed light urban photography, light painting during full moon photography and anything in between. 

I also wanted it to be robust and offer professional features.

Are there other ways to purchase high-quality gear for around $600? Sure. You might be able to find a high-quality, full-frame Canon for around $200. I am not as familiar with Canon, but it’s almost assuredly possible. The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens also comes in Canon mounts, so that would work as well.

And you would almost assuredly be able to find other lenses and tripods as well on the used market.

I have never owned any of the equipment I mentioned here. However, I have done night photography with people who have used this equipment and have seen a lot of photos produced with this equipment.

You probably would want to also purchase SD cards and a cheap remote shutter release. These were not included in the $600 limit, but would not cost too much more, and are things that you might already own anyway. Regardless, you would still be able to keep your budget under $600.

Unless you know the person selling the equipment or the person has a great reputation as a seller, the safest bet is to purchase from places such as KEH, MPB, Adorama, B&H Photo and Video, or Used Photo Pro.

LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP — Elizabeth Miller says she first became interested in photography as a teenager in the early 1970s when her parents bought themselves a fancy Minolta camera.

“They couldn’t figure out how to use it, so I learned it for them. … And I loved it,” said Miller, whose friends call her Beth. “I got pretty good at it back then.”

But Miller said she put her creative self on hold when her dad suffered a stroke and she became his primary caregiver.

“I quit doing everything I did that was creative or artistic — photography, music, knitting — and just focused on my dad,” said Miller. “I quit it all. I was done at 27.”

That was in 1987. Her father, Curtis Miller, died, and Beth Miller continued with a 34-year career as a fourth-grade science teacher, 24 of those years at Lakewood Elementary School just outside Duluth.

Flash-forward to 2013, and a fellow teacher at the school, Kim Bolf, convinced Miller to pick up a camera again for the first time in 26 years. Now, Miller can’t set it down.

“The DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) had a program that gave us cameras for the students to use as part of our outdoor classroom, the nature trail, and Kim saw something I photographed at school,” Miller recalled. “She kept on my case to get back into photography and, eventually, I did it.”

For the past decade, Miller, now 64, has plunged into nature and landscape photography head-first, especially after retiring from teaching in 2017. It took her a while to refocus her brain behind a viewfinder and adjust to digital photography after having learned Round 1 with film. But she hasn’t missed a beat.

Miller grew up in Duluth, graduated from Duluth East in 1977 and then earned her teaching degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a master’s degree from St. Scholastica.

The born and bred Northlander remains in awe of Lake Superior, the magnet that has kept her in place. She now lives in Duluth Township, within a stone’s throw of the North Shore.

Recently divorced, Miller says she has ample time to wander the backwoods and back roads of Northeastern Minnesota looking for special places to take special photos. But her favorite places are often close to home: Stoney Point along Lake Superior, the Superior National Forest and the nature trail around a beaver pond at the school where she taught for so long.

“I’ve taken so many neat photos along this trail,” Miller noted as she walked over a boardwalk by the school. “We had a pair of green herons nesting here that were so much fun to watch and photograph.”

Miller still volunteers (including teaching knitting classes) and is a substitute teacher. And the kids still call her Ms. Miller. “They inspire me,’’ she said of the students.

Kim Bolf said her longtime friend and classroom teaching partner has a combination of intelligence, talent and patience in the field that allows Miller to see things others don’t.

“We’ll both be looking at the same branch on the same tree and she sees a bird or an owl on the branch and comes back with this fantastic picture, and I never even saw what she was looking at,” said Bolf, also a photographer and also now retired from teaching.

Bolf said she pushed for years to get Miller back into photography, finally convincing her to buy a friend’s used Nikon equipment at a bargain price.

“She always talked about it (photography) in a kind of sad way. But you could see she still had a passion for it,” Bolf said. “She finally ran out of excuses. … And when she finally bought that camera, she just started smiling. And she hasn’t stopped yet.”

Miller is a budding birder and has captured stunning images of sandhill cranes, hummingbirds and songbirds. She has a knack for wildflower photography but will also quickly pan over to catch fox kits at play or a pine marten in a tree. She’s also not religious about shooting only nature photos while outdoors and will photograph Lake Superior surfers and ships, too.

“Certain things just grab my eye,” Miller said, referring to a photo taken at sunset down a seemingly endless railroad track that is one of her more eye-catching images. (The photo was taken along the North Shore Scenic Railroad near her home.)

It’s Lake Superior’s ever-changing moods that Miller says makes the big lake her favorite subject to photograph.

“Lake Superior has been in my blood since I was a little girl. It runs deep in my family,” Miller said. “When the big storms hit and everyone heads up to Tettegouche to shoot those big, dramatic waves, you can usually find me at Stoney Point.”

The waves usually aren’t as big there, and there is a less dramatic conflict between wave and land to capture with the lens. But Miller has found that the waves at Stoney Point are as beautiful as anywhere.

“I love to photograph the waves as they go by and the spray coming off the tops of the waves. I can’t get enough of those big storms,” she said. “I often photograph things that other people don’t even notice, and, to be honest, those don’t really sell as well as the stuff everyone recognizes.”

Lately, however, the aurora borealis has captured much of Miller’s attention. She keeps a close eye on websites and Facebook pages that predict when eruptions on the sun might send an aurora over the Northland, and she either heads out close to home or, if it’s really predicted to be a special display, drives up into the Superior National Forest to find more darkness and better vistas.

“People think I’m crazy to be driving those back roads at night in the middle of nowhere by myself,” Miller said. “But I’ve never felt unsafe when I’m up in the woods like that. The wolves aren’t going to bother me.”

Miller says she’s lucky enough to be able to check the aurora from her driveway to decide whether it’s worth going out for a long night outdoors.

“I know a place close to home, right on the shore, that actually has a true northern exposure. I won’t tell you where it is, but it’s a great spot to shoot northern lights,” she said.

While she says she still has much to learn about night sky photography, Miller offers a few tips for novices: Go to where it’s dark, of course, always use a tripod (and a remote shutter release if you can get one, she even has one for her cellphone camera), and over-expose the photo more than you would think.

“It’s easier to dial back exposure in post-production than it is to try to add in what you don’t have,” she said.

Miller calls her budding second-career business Spruce Court Photography, after a road near her home.

“I don’t really go out to take photos to sell to people. I take the photos that I like, to be honest,” Miller said. “I don’t think of this as a business, and I’m not really good at the business part of it.”

Outdoor photography, Miller said, “keeps me sane,” adding that her photos are her way of communicating what she believes in, what she sees in the world as truth, like the value of nature and unspoiled places. “I try to use my photography as a way to educate people.”

“It’s my passion. I don’t have to make money at it,” Miller added. “But if other people enjoy what I’ve photographed, then why not?”

Elizabeth Miller operates Spruce Court Photography. You can find and buy her images at
sprucecourt.myportfolio.com

and

facebook.com/sprucecourtphotography

.