Few of the world’s amazing sights are quite as mesmerising as the elusive aurora borealis. The light display, which can be visible from Iceland to Australia, is caused when charged particles meet with the planet’s atmosphere. 

There’s a whole host of photographers talented enough to capture this marvel, and thanks to the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year awards, we can take a sneak peak at some of their work. 

2023’s winners feature entries from Norway, New Zealand, Italy, and the UK, plus many, many more. The full list of winners, who were selected thanks to the quality of the pic as well as the story behind it, can be viewed here. Here are some of our favourites. 

After some more stunning natural photography? Here’s our list of all the winners from last year’s competition. And if you want to see the Northern Lights with your own two eyes, these are the world’s best places to do so.

Did you see that you can now take a sleeper train from Paris to Berlin?

Plus: This is the official date that the Notre–Dame will open again. 

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news. 

Throughout their documentations, the photographers have a special approach to revealing personal narratives, most striking in a series of diptychs, sometimes pairing black-and-white and colour photographs. “We were surprised to be selected, because the style isn’t traditional, it’s rarely seen in the genre.” In Miruku, they continue on this unorthodox method, sharing the impacts of the climate crisis (and subsequent water shortage) on the Wayuu, the indigenous population from La Guajira. This time, there is a deliberate pairing of community portraits and close-up shots of the land, accentuating the connection between Wayuu people and the coastal desert; South Americans and land; and people and natural resources.

And, although they coincided ideologically, Marisol says that their practices “couldn’t have been more different”. First starting their collaboration through video calls, they began constructing their figurative and abstract approach, to achieve a certain balance. “The good thing was that, before going to Colombia, we were able to spend a couple months together in Argentina […] We found that we both enhanced each other’s skills, when we put our heads together, we found our styles interacted in this exciting way,” Marisol adds. Federico typically shoots black-and-white still-life images, which explains his gravitating more towards still or non-sentient scenes. A pensive portrait of a woman against a corroding background; a drying stream of water surrounded by drying leaves and land; and a dog sleeping in the sand almost too peacefully. But, Marisol rather focuses on commanding scenes in her work – all in colour – bringing interaction and cultural expression to the fore. But, throughout the series, their styles begin to intertwine, making it difficult to tell who took what.

In the wake of her Dazed 100 nomination, we speak to the South African-born visual artist about the inspirations behind her compelling images, future aspirations, and why her star sign is cancer ‘through and through’

Even though SLR cameras adopted digital image sensors as far back as the 1980s, other key components have remained defiantly mechanical. Mirrorless cameras removed the mirror and optical viewfinder components, of course – but some models have gone even further by offering an electronic shutter.

Right now, most of these cameras provide both mechanical and electronic shutters, because the technology that enables the latter is still maturing. But while electronic shutters aren’t perfect, they offer important and worthwhile advantages. Of course, whether these benefits apply to your photography is another matter.

Pros of electronic shutters

They’re silent: Soundless shooting is a big benefit in sensitive situations such as weddings, stage performances and wildlife photography. A few models let you set a shutter noise if you prefer a ‘click’.

They’re vibration-free: With no mechanics to worry about, electronic shutters are totally vibration-free, which reduces the risk of camera shake.

You get super-rapid shooting: Mechanical shutters, where there is a chain of events when the shutter button is pressed, will have a top shooting rate of between 10 and 15fps. Electronic shutters can deliver shooting rates of 20fps and above.

They have faster shutter speeds: The fastest mechanical shutter speed is 1/8,000 sec. By comparison, many electronic shutters go to 1/32,000 sec and beyond. The fastest speed currently available is the 1/180,000 sec found on Fujifilm’s X-H2, launched in 2022. 

There’s no wear and tear: A mechanical shutter will be engineered to give a minimum number of actuations – the Canon EOS R5 is rated at 500,000 cycles, for example. With no moving parts, an electronic shutter should last much longer.

Cons of electronic shutters

They can generate rolling shutter distortion: Electronic shutters do not expose the whole frame at the same instant, so with moving subjects, rolling shutter distortion can occur. Top-end mirrorless cameras have fast readouts so it’s much less of a problem, but lower-spec cameras can suffer badly, so a mechanical shutter is advised with sports or wildlife photography. The global shutter, which will be seen first in the Sony A9 III when it arrives in 2024, will solve this problem

They can create banding: Artificial lighting such as fluorescent lighting flickers. When you’re shooting with an electronic shutter, this may result in banding at faster shutter speeds. If in doubt, shoot at 1/30 sec or slower in these environments.

Most don’t sync with flash: Many mirrorless camera electronic shutters do not synchronize with flash at all, so there’s no option other than to use the mechanical shutter. But some top-end mirrorless cameras offer flash sync with both types of shutter.

Shutter types explained

Mechanical focal plane shutter

A mechanical focal plane shutter uses two lightproof blinds or ‘curtains’ that traverse – vertically in most cameras – across the focal plane to make the exposure. Press the shutter button and the first curtain starts the exposure, followed by the second curtain which ends it. In effect, the two blinds, which travel at the same speed regardless of the set speed, produce a slit – the thinner the slit, the faster the shutter speed. When the slit is wide enough to reveal the entire image sensor, that is the camera’s flash sync speed.

Electronic front curtain shutter

Engaging the camera’s electronic front curtain shutter (EFCS) option minimizes vibration and noise. Since mirrorless cameras have no reflex mirror to move before starting the exposure, the EFCS means the exposure starts electronically almost instantly, with the rear curtain ending it. This also keeps shutter lag to a minimum to help time a shot more precisely. With an EFCS, any vibrations created by the rear curtain closing happen after the exposure has ended, so have no consequence.

Electronic shutter

An electronic shutter reads image data from top to bottom, row by row, so there is a fractional time delay, with the result that moving subjects can suffer from rolling shutter distortion. For example, the wheels of a moving car can look elliptical. Fast electronic shutter speeds can also suffer from banding with some forms of artificial lighting such as fluorescent tubes. Using flash is also an issue and is limited to a few top-end cameras. This shutter type is vibration-free, silent, has higher top speeds, allows faster continuous shooting and lasts longer.

Ian and I met seven years ago when our mutual friend Alan Cumming sat us next to each other at a dinner party. We hit it off and Ian invited me to join his quiz team the following week at the Grapes, his pub in east London. I’ve been going ever since. Our team name changes every week. There’s another team, called the Pirates of Men’s Pants, who tend to win, but we beat them maybe once a month. Doing the pub quiz regularly fits with Ian’s whole way of life, which is about making time to have fun. We’ve become good friends: we go to the theatre, or go dancing. He’s hilarious: his timing is always on point, but his humour is never at other people’s expense.

I think of portraiture as a collaboration, so it’s better if you know the person, otherwise there’s a risk you can project something of yourself on to them. Ian has allowed me to photograph him casually many times. For the first time, he was draped in lots of material from a photographic backdrop – Ian said the picture should have been titled Camp – and there was another where he was dressed as Ivor Novello.

But for this picture, I was going into his private space – his dressing room – a few minutes before he went on stage as Mother Goose. I’ve been backstage at the Royal Ballet and all sorts of big productions, but I was curious about what it would be like at a panto. When you see panto, you think: “What is this?” Especially if you’re not from Britain. I grew up in Switzerland, and I did go to a few pantos because I was at an English school where the expat community would stage them, but I still found them confusing.

I’ve known Mother Goose since I was a child, though. She’s the imaginary author of a collection of 17th-century fairy tales by Charles Perrault; my French granny used to read them to me. When Ian gets into costume as Mother Goose, he actually looks like my grandmother! Her hair was like the wig he wears. It’s uncanny. She’d read those stories to me – and now I was photographing an actor who has devoted his life to telling stories.

Nothing in the picture is staged. I was just clicking away silently. We didn’t overthink it or discuss it much. The minute I walked in, he said: “Snap away. Whatever you like. You don’t need to ask.” He was very trusting and I felt free to get stuck in.

What I like is that he’s already halfway through his transformation. He’s done his makeup and there’s enough of him there but you can see the character starting to appear. His arm is probably raised because he was gesturing to his dresser, Tom McCormack, that he was ready to put his dress on. He couldn’t wear it before because it’s so hot and heavy. He was wearing so much padding, and it’s not necessarily the most flattering image, but there’s zero retouching. Ian doesn’t ask to be retouched, unlike a lot of younger people. Once you reach a certain age, you are who you are, right? I think it makes it more authentic.

The best portraits combine high and low elements – something pulling it into another dimension, with the details of everyday life bringing the picture back to reality. It’s those competing forces that for me make it exciting. You’ve got Ian looking out-of-this-world, then there’s that curtain behind him. So many people have asked: “Why did you leave that there?” But it’s great to have this polarising pattern, which could be viewed as quite ugly. I think it contributes a lot. It brings reality in and so do the bin, the cable from the hairdryer and the items on the dressing table – a doll, sweets, cards.

In those few minutes in the room, I was searching for the portrait – and I believe I found it. I caught him looking at me. You can see his face and who he is as a person. I’d rather let the viewer decide who that is, make up their own mind. But to witness someone at any age, let alone in their 80s, transform so radically gives me a special kind of joy. It shows that you can play for life. I really admire how Ian is still doing that.

Frederic Aranda’s CV

Born: Geneva, 1980
Trained: Self-taught
Influences: “Kabuki theatre, classical ballet, anime, French literature”
High point: “Making a group portrait of an entire voguing house called The House of Gorgeous Gucci, and then seeing the image as a mural in front of the National Portrait Gallery when it was selected as a finalist in the Taylor Wessing portrait prize last year.”
Low point: “Anytime jetlag is involved. I need at least eight hours’ sleep every night!”
Top tip: “Embrace your mistakes. Photography is a lifelong pursuit and you should compete patiently against yourself, not your peers.”

The team at Skylum contacted us with the idea of writing a general introduction to using AI in photography, and given that this is an area currently ripe with misinformation, we thought it well worth the effort. Vladislav Patana is your guide…

This article explores the role of AI in photography. We’ll cover its history, how photographers currently use AI for shooting and editing, and where the technology is headed. We also discuss the tools available for creating AI-generated images and address related ethical concerns.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed not just how we edit, but also how we capture images. What was once a simple camera is now an astute partner that, with the aid of AI, elevates your skills, helping you effortlessly encapsulate the very essence of your subjects.

This article embarks on an enlightening journey, retracing the steps of AI’s role in photography—from its modest origins to the sweeping changes it instigated in the industry. As we navigate this tale, we’ll uncover the historical intricacies of this groundbreaking technology, understand its profound impact on photographic methods, and envision the promising future that lies ahead in this dynamic union of art and technology.

Unraveling the AI phenomenon

The origins of artificial intelligence in photography can be traced back to the early days of computer image processing. However, the late 20th century saw significant advancements in computer vision and pattern recognition, forming a basis for AI integration in photographic art. 

As we fast-forward to the present, AI in photography has come of age. The industry now stands on the cusp of a technological revolution, completely reconsidering and recreating the photography landscape within the standards of the new reality. 

When it comes to art and creativity in general and photography in part, many people still need to be convinced about relying on AI. They fear the machines will possibly replace humans and leave no space for their unique creative vision, standardizing everything according to the primarily developed algorithms. 

But we live in a digital world, and machines are inevitable in every sphere of life, whether we like it or not. So, instead of positioning artificial intelligence as a rival of creators, we need to learn how to turn it into our reliable companion and helper in our creative journey. How to do it? Let’s see in the following section. 

Practical uses of AI for photographers

Getting ready for shoots using AI

Utilizing AI to prepare for photo shoots offers many advantages, from improved efficiency to enhanced creativity. For example, some tools can suggest shooting locations based on desired features or backgrounds. These tools analyze real-world data and match it against script requirements, determining the perfect spot for your shooting ideas.

Beyond just assisting with location choices, AI can help visualize a place with props, models, and lighting without being physically present. It can also optimize the sequence of shots or locations to ensure efficiency and generate a checklist of required gear based on the shoot’s complexity and needs.

In the context of modeling, AI can offer pose suggestions tailored to the model’s physique, attire, and the shoot’s overarching theme. It quickly sifts through multiple shots to select the best ones based on sharpness, composition, and other desired criteria. Moreover, certain AI-driven tools provide suggestions on image styles and compositions. They can also advise on overarching themes, helping to carve out unique concepts.

Indeed, the preparation tools at our disposal today can be transformative. Embracing them can truly elevate the way we approach and execute photo shoots, showcasing all the advantages of AI technologies.

For those interested in exploring these apps, a simple Google search might suffice. However, a dedicated platform such as TopAI.tools or SaaS AI Tools categorizes AI tools by tags, ensuring you find precisely what you need, accompanied by a comprehensive app description. Also, you can compare or find a more interesting alternative on websites like Saashub.

With the rise of AI in photography, now is a great time to explore and harness these tools to elevate your next photo shoot.

Enhancing your shots in real-time

As Artificial Intelligence takes center stage in various software applications, it’s crucial to highlight its substantial influence on digital cameras. This interaction offers photographers advanced tools that allow them to capture moments with unparalleled precision and artistry.

1. Face Recognition

Facial recognition, a hallmark of AI integration, is transforming portrait photography. Cameras can now instantly identify faces, ensuring that the subjects are always the focal point. This rapid and accurate detection means photographers can trust their equipment to handle facial nuances, enabling them to prioritize other elements of the shot.

2. Detailed Subject Focus

Beyond mere faces, AI has redefined subject recognition, distinguishing with precision between the left and right eyes—a game-changer for autofocus. This feature is further amplified with the recognition of animals and birds, gifting wildlife photographers an unparalleled advantage in complex scenarios. With subjects rendered in sharp clarity, photographers can delve deeper into the nuances of composition, while AI takes charge of perfecting exposure dynamics.

3. Scene Differentiation

AI’s capabilities are not limited to subjects alone. Scene recognition, particularly prevalent in smartphone cameras, allows AI to segregate the main subject from the backdrop, replicating depth of field effects, and spotlighting the main attraction. This innovation is spreading its wings, finding utility in entertainment, healthcare, and security sectors.

4. Immediate Red Eye Correction

The persistent red-eye conundrum in digital photography is nearing its end. Thanks to AI, contemporary cameras can preemptively detect and rectify this glitch, ensuring impeccable photos right from the get-go.

5. Enhanced Zoom and Resolution

AI’s magic extends beyond the moment of capture. It showcases its might in post-capture enhancements, such as maintaining image clarity during zooming or elevating a photo’s resolution for grand-scale prints. Remarkably, select advanced cameras offer these perks in real-time, eliminating the dependency on external editing platforms.

Streamlined editing

An illustration of what can be done with AI in photography provided by Luminar Neo

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the world of photo editing, too. Gone are the days when photographers and designers spent hours on tedious editing tasks. Thanks to AI, these routine processes can now be accomplished in mere minutes, freeing up valuable time and paving the way for heightened creativity.

For instance, with an AI background remover, you no longer have to laboriously work over layers and stamps for hours on end. Instead, a simple double-click and the artificial intelligence takes over, deftly removing backgrounds and making precise edits that once demanded significant time and expertise.

This paradigm shift has not only transformed the workflow of professionals but has also made high-quality photo editing accessible to amateurs. With this newfound efficiency, there’s an exciting space for more innovation, artistry, and exploration. Many software programs are rapidly integrating artificial intelligence capabilities, making the realm of photo editing cooler and more futuristic than ever before.

As an exemplar of this transformative wave, the AI Photo Editor Luminar Neo stands out. It is among the pioneering software that has seamlessly integrated AI tools into its interface. Its advanced algorithms and intuitive design allow for swift edits, be it enhancing a sunset or retouching a portrait. With Luminary Neo, both seasoned professionals and budding enthusiasts can harness the power of AI, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of photo editing.

Imagine you’re photographing a bustling cityscape at night. Neon signs and streetlights beautifully light the intricate details of the city’s architecture. However, capturing the perfect exposure and balancing the highlights and shadows in such a dynamic scene can be challenging. It is where Luminar Neo steps in.

Using AI algorithms, Luminar Neo analyzes the scene and makes adjustments. It balances the exposure, enhances the vibrancy of colors, and ensures that every detail, from the towering skyscrapers to the reflections on wet streets, is captured with stunning clarity.

Luminar Neo analyzes images to identify and suggest improvements. From reducing noise to enhancing sharpness, these AI-driven editing tools allow photographers to achieve their artistic vision more easily and precisely.

Also, Luminar Neo also offers creative filters and presets that can be applied after you shoot. Whether you want to infuse a dreamy, cinematic look into your portraits or add a touch of vintage charm to your street photography, AI-powered filters provide myriad artistic possibilities at your fingertips.

Moreover, the tool can assist in the tedious task of sorting and organizing images. By recognizing and tagging subjects, locations, and other metadata, AI helps photographers quickly find the right image from their extensive collections.

Business boosters

Beyond the creative aspects, the commercial part of photography also relies on artificial intelligence. If photography is not just a creative hobby for you but also a way to earn money, consider AI as a potential helper in your business. 

AI-driven analytics can help photographers understand which images resonate most with their audience, guiding their content strategy and marketing efforts. Additionally, AI can automate administrative tasks like invoicing and client management. 

The image search within a particular database can also be simplified through AI. Shortly, you will be able to describe the image you are looking for, and artificial intelligence will sift through your collection to find the perfect match. It is a game-changer for individual photographers, stock photo agencies, and businesses looking for specific visuals. What else will the future bring to AI usage in photography?

The future of AI software in the photo industry

Imagine an AI-driven camera that doesn’t just adjust settings but actively collaborates with the photographer to suggest unique angles, lighting techniques, or artistic effects in real-time. It would empower photographers to experiment and innovate on a brand-new level so the results of their work will be technically and artistically excellent. 

Regarding post-processing, photo editing tools like Luminar Neo are constantly changing, evolving, and updating, offering users more and more creative possibilities. Hence, the future is much closer than you may think. For example, the latest update made it possible for the users to back out of an edit and reapply it easily, making experimenting with different editing tools more convenient.

A few words about AI-generated imagery

Exploring software tools

AI-generated imagery relies on cutting-edge software tools to create new visuals based on algorithms and data inputs. These tools have the potential to generate stunning and imaginative images, from abstract designs to realistic landscapes, without any human intervention. 

Some tools in this domain include OpenAI’s DALL·E, which can create images from textual descriptions, and DeepDream, which produces hallucinatory and surreal visuals. These tools have applications in art and design and hold potential for various industries, including advertising, entertainment, and even scientific visualization.

Ethical issues to consider

One of the primary concerns is the potential for misuse, such as creating deepfake content that can deceive and manipulate viewers. As AI becomes more adept at mimicking human artistry, distinguishing between AI-generated and human-created content may become increasingly challenging.

Additionally, questions about copyright and intellectual property arise in the context of AI-generated imagery. Who owns the rights to images created by algorithms? How can creators protect their work when algorithms are involved in the creative process? These legal and ethical difficulties are yet to be fully resolved.

Furthermore, the impact of AI-generated imagery on the livelihood of traditional photographers is a subject of debate. As AI becomes more capable of producing high-quality visuals, it could disrupt the photography industry by offering cost-effective and rapid alternatives to human photographers.

Photographers and policymakers must engage in meaningful discussions about the ethical and legal frameworks that should govern AI-generated imagery. Striking a balance between innovation and responsible use is essential to ensure that AI remains a tool for creative expression rather than a source of harm or deception.

AI in photography: conclusion

Artificial intelligence’s role in photography becomes increasingly significant daily, offering new opportunities and posing further questions. The key takeaway is that AI is a tool that can enhance creativity and efficiency, but its ethical and responsible use remains paramount.

AI assists photographers in preparing for shoots, enhances their shots in real-time, streamlines the editing process, and even offers business solutions. The advent of AI-powered tools like Luminar Neo has significantly contributed to this transformation, enabling photographers to unlock new levels of creativity and efficiency.

Embrace AI’s possibilities, but do so with a mindful approach that respects the ethical boundaries of this powerful technology. Enter a new era in photography, where AI and human creativity combine to create visual wonders previously unimagined!

There are many well-known lessons in photography. However, this enlightening video delves into unconventional wisdom, sharing insightful lessons that challenge standard photography norms. 

Coming to you from PJ Pantelis, this excellent video tutorial discusses five important photography lessons. The first standout lesson revolves around the notion that convenience does not equate to quality. This idea challenges photographers to move beyond their comfort zones and usual routines. Pantelis emphasizes the importance of timing and environmental conditions in capturing compelling images. For instance, shooting during the harsh midday sun or in less-than-ideal weather can drastically limit the potential of a photo. The lesson encourages photographers to plan meticulously, considering factors like the time of day and weather conditions. This approach can transform an ordinary scene into a vivid, dynamic composition, revealing that often, the difference between a good and a great photograph is the effort put into planning and waiting for the right moment.

The second lesson, emphasizing the significance of post-production in defining a photographer’s style, is equally impactful. This perspective highlights the transformative power of editing in shaping the final outcome of a photograph. It underscores that while certain shooting conditions and techniques are universal, the creative choices made in post-processing give each photographer their unique voice. Understanding and mastering this phase can elevate a photographer’s work, ensuring consistency and distinctiveness across their portfolio.

Together, these lessons underscore the blend of technical skill, creative vision, and deliberate planning that defines successful photography. They remind us that while technical proficiency is foundational, the true essence of photography lies in the creative choices and personal style that each photographer brings to their work. Check out the video above for more from Pantelis.