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Lidar-Derived Aerial Maps Reveal the Dramatic Meandering Changes in River Banks Over Millenia

Lidar-Derived Aerial Maps Reveal the Dramatic Meandering Changes in River Banks Over Millenia

Lidar-derived image of the meandering Alabama River in Alabama, USA. The Cahaba River joins the Alabama in the upper center of the image. All images © Dan Coe, shared with permission

Dan Coe (previously) takes us back in time with his impressive collection of river images derived from lidar data. An acronym for “light detection and ranging,” lidar is often employed to make three-dimensional elevation maps. When used aerially, the technology is able to peer through trees and other vegetation to document topographic changes, structures from ancient civilizations, and other remnants of eras past currently disguised by growth.

For his part, Coe translates this collected data into vivid maps that unveil how river and delta patterns shift over hundreds of thousands of years within a single image. In one work, fractal-like tributaries extend in muted tones from the Alabama River, whose current-day shape is rendered in a bright, electrifying shade of blue. Many of the maps take similar forms as they show changes to the mainstems’ lengths and widths, along with losses and expansions in their offshoots.

Coe is currently the graphics editor at Washington Geological Survey, and some of his lidar work focuses on the ancient, ice age-era rivers embedded in the state’s landscape. You can explore a broader selection of his topographic time-travels on his site and Flickr.

 

Image of the Lena River Delta in Russia, derived from a high-resolution stereo digital elevation model.

Lidar-derived image of the Willamette River, Santiam River, and Luckiamute River north of Albany, Oregon.

Lidar-derived image of the Neches River in east Texas, U.S.

The Yellowstone River near Hysham, Montana. At almost 700 miles in length, the Yellowstone is the longest un-dammed river in the continental U.S.

Lidar-derived image of the Milk River in northeastern Montana. The Milk is a tributary of the Missouri River and its watershed covers parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana.

IFSAR-derived image of the Porcupine and Draanjik Rivers in Alaska.

The Vistula River (Wisla) floodplain near Szczucin, Poland. The Vistula is Poland’s prime river, flowing from the border with Czechia and Slovakia to the Baltic Sea.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Lidar-Derived Aerial Maps Reveal the Dramatic Meandering Changes in River Banks Over Millenia appeared first on Colossal.

Funny Finalists of the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Funny Finalists of the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Lemur screaming

“Scream” by Sergey Savvi (Russian Federation). Animal: Black-and-white ruffed lemur. Location of shot: Madagascar.
“The lemur can’t hold his emotions.”

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has announced their 2023 finalists, giving us our feel-good fix for the day. This year’s shortlist includes 41 standalone photos, three portfolios, and three videos that show off the silly side of wildlife. In addition, the People’s Choice Award is now open for voting, which allows the public to have their say in who has the funniest animal photo this year.

From an overly expressive lemur to a kangaroo playing air guitar, this year’s finalists have captured animals in all types of funny situations. Some of the photos, like a dragonfly perched on a happy turtle’s nose, are simply adorable. Others, like a gray fox lounging with a piece of wood in its mouth, pose in ways that make their actions seem almost human. And some, like a batfish swimming in front of a diver, rely on the quick timing of the photographer to create a funny scene.

But no matter how the images were captured, they all share a common denominator—they make us laugh. And the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been using laughter to shine a light on wildlife conservation for the past eight years. In fact, each year the organizers select a sustainable conservation organization to support. This year, they’re working with Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), a UK charity that supports conservation leaders working in their home countries across the Global South.

While we wait for the winners to be announced on November 23, we looked through the shortlist and select some of our favorites to enjoy. Scroll down to see them, and don’t forget to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Everyone who votes will also be entered in a draw for a chance to win a £500 (a little over US$600) cash prize.

Check out some of our favorite finalists from the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.

Little owl staring at the cameraLittle owl staring at the camera

“Angry Bird” by Michael Erwin (United Kingdom). Animal: Little owl. Location of shot: Wales.
“A little owl stares as only they can.”

African wild dog in Kruger National ParkAfrican wild dog in Kruger National Park

“What nice teeth you have” by Henry Keepin. Animal: African Wild Dog. Location of shot: Lion Sands Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, SA. “I photographed this Painted Wolf at Lion Sands Game Reserve, a protected reserve with open borders next to the Kruger National Park in South Africa. It is wearing a tracker because, sadly, this species is endangered and is therefore being closely monitored by scientists. There may only be 1400 left in the wild, and 300 left in this part of Africa with one of the main reasons for this being persecution from humans. We need to learn to love our beaming neighbors!”

Western Grey Kangaroo looking like it's playing the air guitarWestern Grey Kangaroo looking like it's playing the air guitar

“Air Guitar Roo” by Jason Moore (Australia). Animal: Western Grey Kangaroo. Location of shot: Perth, Australia
“I was driving past a mob of Western Grey Kangaroos feeding in an open field that was filled with attractive yellow flowers. I had my camera with me, so I stopped to grab a few photos. I suddenly noticed this individual adopt a humorous pose—to me, it looks like he’s practicing strumming on his Air Guitar.”

Swamp turtle with dragonfly on its noseSwamp turtle with dragonfly on its nose

“The Happy Turtle” by Tzahi Finkelstein (Israel). Animal: Swamp turtle. Location of shot: Jezreel Valley, Israel.
“The swamp turtle is surprised and smiles at the dragonfly resting on its nose.”

Bat fish in the SeychellesBat fish in the Seychelles

“Part of Your World” by Danielle Goonan (United States). Animal: Bat Fish. Location of shot: Seychelles.
“This trip to the Seychelles was my first big trip after getting scuba certified. Caught this on one of the dives.

Lion lounging on a branchLion lounging on a branch

“Hang Loose” by Christian Hargasser (Germany). Animal: Lion. Location of shot: Masai Mara.
“Masai Mara—it was already half past six in the evening and almost dark… I caught this very short moment when I did this funny sitting position in the middle of playing.”

Smooth-coated otter balancingSmooth-coated otter balancing

“Otter Ballerinas” by Otter Kwek (Singapore). Animal: Smooth-coated Otter. Location of shot: Singapore.
“Arabesque otter.”

All of the photos are also eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which is now open to the public for voting.

Two stallions fightingTwo stallions fighting

“Doing the Tango” by Danny Sullivan (United States). Animal: Wild Mustang. Location of shot: McCullagh Peaks, Wyoming.
“These two stallions show off their athletic abilities while fighting each other. No horses were hurt doing the Tango.”

Two grizzly bears at the Katmai National Park and PreserveTwo grizzly bears at the Katmai National Park and Preserve

“Teddy Buddies” by Thomas Vijayan (Canada). Animal: Grizzly bears. Location of shot: Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA.
“At Katmai National Park, Grizzly bears are in abundance, and hence it is a photographer’s paradise. However, the challenge here is clicking a unique frame. This image is full of expressions and proper eye contact by both the bears; hence it is a perfect frame of love and friendship. To get this image I laid down flat on the water and stayed there for a long waiting for the right moment to click.”

Grey fox lounging with piece of wood in his mouthGrey fox lounging with piece of wood in his mouth

“Excuse me, sir but I think you’re a little too young to be smoking” by Dakota Vaccaro (United States). Animal: Grey Fox. Location of shot: Virginia, USA.
“While I was working deep in the Virginian woods, a family of grey foxes took up residence under the deck of the abandoned cottage next to my work housing. One day while practicing their hunting skills on bits of moss and branches, one of the kits lunged at a small chunk of wood and started rolling around with his prize. Tired after his hunt, the kit lounged on his belly, still holding the wood in his mouth, which gave the strong resemblance of a cigar. I was very envious of the kit at this moment cause who wouldn’t want to just lay around all day relaxing.”

Giraffes at a waterhole in the Onguma Game Reserve in Namibia, AfricaGiraffes at a waterhole in the Onguma Game Reserve in Namibia, Africa

“Oh my, talk about poking your nose into someone else’s business!” by Bill Gozansky (United States). Animal: Angolan Giraffe.
Location of shot: Onguma Game Reserve, Namibia, Africa.
“An unusual configuration of giraffes at a waterhole in the Onguma Game Reserve in Namibia, Africa.”

Ground squirrels nibbling on flowersGround squirrels nibbling on flowers

“The Floral Feast Chronicles” by Alex Pansier (Netherlands). Animal: Ground squirrels. Location of shot: Vienna.
“This charming collection of photographs captures a quartet of mischievous ground squirrels, each engaging in their own hilarious antics as they attempt to nibble on a colorful assortment of flowers. From the surprised expressions of the caught-in-the-act culprits to the determined munchers and the territorial nibblers, these candid moments offer a delightful glimpse into the playful and sometimes competitive world of these furry floral aficionados.”

Monkey in forest in Ubud, BaliMonkey in forest in Ubud, Bali

“The rainforest dandy” by Delphine Casimir (Belgium). Animal: Monkey. Location of shot: Bali.
“This picture was taken in the monkey forest in Ubud, Bali. This place is a crazy place where monkeys are king! sometimes they give a show, sometimes, they climb on you to look for fleas or steal the piece of biscuit you are trying to eat.”

This young chacma baboon is sitting on it's mother back playing the foolThis young chacma baboon is sitting on it's mother back playing the fool

“Just a kiss” by Brigitte Alcalay-Marcon (France). Animal: Chacma baboon. Location of shot: Kruger National Park. South Africa.
“This young chacma baboon is sitting on it’s mother back playing the fool.

The winners of the photo contest will be announced on November 23, 2023.

Swan looking directly into the cameraSwan looking directly into the camera

“Now-thats-a-selfie” by Jaroslaw Kolacz (Poland). Animal: Swan. Location of shot: Gdańsk-Brzeźno beach, Poland.
“Swan on the beach was very interested in me.”

Greenfinches on a branchGreenfinches on a branch

“Dispute” by Jacek Stankiewicz (Poland). Animal: Greenfinch (Chloris chloris). Location of shot: Bialowieza forest
“I caught this scene while watching birds in the Bialowieza Forest. The young greenfinch was still being fed by its parents. However, from time to time, the birds looked like they were having an argument. My friends interpret this scene in two ways. One, a young naughty kid is arguing with a parent. Two, one kid is reporting to the parent that their brother did something wrong: look, he has broken the glass in the window.”

Sulawesi macaque looking at a leafSulawesi macaque looking at a leaf

“Fake news!” by Matti Rauvala (Finland). Animal: Sulawesi macaque. Location of shot: Sulawesi.
“Sulawesi macaque reading news.”

Beaver in the Grand Teton National ParkBeaver in the Grand Teton National Park

“Flossing Beaver” by Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven (United States). Animal: Beaver. Location of shot: Grand Teton National Park, WY, USA
“Even beavers floss before and after every meal!”

Ground squirrel jumping in the airGround squirrel jumping in the air

“I finally learned to fly…or not?!” by Tímea Ambrus (Hungary). Animal: Ground squirrel. Location of shot: Austria.
“The ground squirrel jumped as if he could fly. Unfortunately, he has no wings. To his surprise, he fell back to the ground.”

Ground squirrel landing on the groundGround squirrel landing on the ground

“I finally learned to fly…or not?!” by Tímea Ambrus (Hungary). Animal: Ground squirrel. Location of shot: Austria.
“The ground squirrel jumped as if he could fly. Unfortunately, he has no wings. To his surprise, he fell back to the ground.”

Two whiptail wallabies fightingTwo whiptail wallabies fighting

“The Two Step” by Wayne Sorensen (Australia). Animal: Whiptail Wallaby (known as Pretty Faced Wallaby). Location of shot: Cape Hillsborough, Australia.
“Heads back. Arms out. Now it’s time for the two-step as these wallabies take their dance to the next level.”

Dragonfly sitting on a horsetailDragonfly sitting on a horsetail

“I don’t know” by Jakub Wozny (Poland). Animal: Dragonfly.
“I took this photo during a beautiful sunrise. The dragonfly was sitting on a horsetail surrounded by dew, and cleaning itself.”

Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.

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20 Funny Finalists of the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Cute Winning Photos from the 2023 Comedy Pet Photography Awards

Hilarious Early Entries From the 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Winners of the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Show the Silly Side of Nature

An Idyllic ‘Creative Compound’ in Upstate New York Has Hit the Market for $4.25 Million—Alas, the Art Is Not Included

An Idyllic ‘Creative Compound’ in Upstate New York Has Hit the Market for $4.25 Million—Alas, the Art Is Not Included

Shortly after the Young British Artists boom of the 1990s, the London-based couple Gary Hume and Georgie Hopton decided to expand their operations with a second home in upstate New York, working between the two cities. They found an idyllic 19th-century farmstead in the hamlet of Accord in the Hudson Valley and put down new roots.

Now, some 20 years later, the abstract painter (who represented Britain at the 1999 Venice Biennale) and multimedia artist, respectively, are permanently returning to the U.K. and they’ve put their beloved retreat up for sale, asking $4.25 million.

imageTwo Figures Touching (2011) on the wall. Courtesy of Compass.” width=”1024″ height=”785″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/hume-hopton-living-room1-1024×785.jpg 1024w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/10/hume-hopton-living-room1-300×230.jpg 300w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/10/hume-hopton-living-room1-1536×1178.jpg 1536w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/10/hume-hopton-living-room1-50×38.jpg 50w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/10/hume-hopton-living-room1-1920×1473.jpg 1920w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/10/hume-hopton-living-room1.jpg 1957w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”>

The living room of Gary Hume and Georgie Hopton’s upstate New York home, with Nicola Tyson’s Two Figures Touching (2011) on the wall. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer/Catskill Image. Courtesy of Compass.

Hume and Hopton discovered Accord after visiting the home of a friend, British painter Nicola Tyson, in a neighboring village. So they sniffed around until they found a gem of their own, which they have lovingly restored and then some, leaving “their unique stamp on nearly every inch” of its 41.5 acres, according to the listing with Compass real estate

The couple has, in those 20 years, built the property up into what they call a “creative compound.” The secluded getaway boasts a 2,300-square-foot main house with three bedrooms, three fireplaces, and country-style touches everywhere, from hand-painted wallpaper and freestanding tubs to exposed wood beams and a “​​rocking chair porch” in back. The kitchen is outfitted with Miele appliances and copper and marble countertops.

Gary's Studio, with its saw-toothed roof. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer / Catskill Image. Courtesy of Compass.

Hume’s studio, with its saw-toothed roof and weathered Cor-Ten steel siding. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer/Catskill Image. Courtesy of Compass.

Interior view of Gary's Studio. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer / Catskill Image.

Interior view of Hume’s studio. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer/Catskill Image.

As charming as the main house is, the star attraction has to be the three studios, each its own structure. The saw-toothed roof of Hume’s studio at the top of a hill can be glimpsed from nearly every spot on the property. In fact, the 4,500-square-foot space with 25-foot vaulted ceilings, plus an exterior of weathered Cor-Ten steel, can’t be missed.

Hopton’s studio, too, features large skylights that bathe the space in natural light, while the one dubbed the Little Studio is the coziest of the bunch, with its rustic sitting room and loft-like bedroom. 

Interior view of Little Studio. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer / Catskill Image. Courtesy of Compass.

Interior view of the Little Studio. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer / Catskill Image. Courtesy of Compass.

The land around the former farm, built in the 1860s, could hardly be more bucolic, with sprawling meadows, orchards, woodlands, and a cedar hot tub in the middle of a garden. There’s even a shaded pond with lily pads and a dock to complete the storybook setting.

Note to potential buyers: none of the artworks are included with the sale of the house. But here’s the good news: the outdoor sculptures, and some furnishings, are available for purchase.

A pond with a dock on the property. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer / Catskill Image. Courtesy of Compass.

A pond with a dock on the property. Photo: Gabriel Zimmer/Catskill Image. Courtesy of Compass.

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Why You Should Follow Lesser-Known and Local Photographers

Why You Should Follow Lesser-Known and Local Photographers

Between 2008 and late 2016, I took tens of thousands of pictures and proudly vomited the vast majority of them online. While I’d toyed around with things like depth of field and long exposures, I didn’t understand anything about photography, so my camera rarely left ‘auto’. I’d checked out an online tutorial or two, but as far as I was concerned, ‘exposure compensation’ was something victims got after winning a public indecency lawsuit.

At the time, I wasn’t on Instagram, I only had a vague idea of what Reddit was, and Flickr was simply a place for me to dump my photos. I figured my work was as good as anyone’s because none of my friends were taking anything better. On top of that, I already had people telling me I could be a pro. Needless to say, had my head gotten any bigger, The IAU would have had no choice but to classify it as a planet.

That all changed when I stumbled upon the work of a particular professional photographer for the first time. It was what I can only describe as ‘life-changing’. I know that may sound hyperbolic, but his work literally had an impact on the way I think about photography, and thus my life. I don’t mean to single out this particular photographer, but up until this point, I hadn’t really been exposed to professional photography.

Upon viewing his work, I was struck with the excitement of what photography has the potential to be, while being forced to confront the soul-crushing reality of what my images were, namely mediocre snapshots. I’d been taking photos for eight years, and every single one of them was hot garbage, compared to what I was looking at. Luckily, the positive feelings outweighed the negative ones, which motivated me to learn more about my camera, leading to the quality of my work improving.

Had I not come across the work of this professional when I did, I may very well still be taking mediocre snapshots in blissful ignorance. From there, I continued to seek out the work of famous photographers with huge followings for inspiration and to further my own growth. Over the years that followed, my work continued to improve thanks to the guidance I was getting via YouTube videos, breathtaking portfolios, photography outlets, and critiques from my peers.

Not long after that, I noticed something had begun to change. Not with the quality of the work I was seeing, but with the kind of work I found myself connecting to. While I still appreciated the work of the famous photographers I’d looked up to, I started to feel disconnected. I’d gone from being inspired by their work to feeling something more akin to apathy. I’d spend my time on various social media platforms scrolling past epic landscape after epic landscape feeling nothing.

It was around this time that I started feeling more inspired by hobbyists, lesser-known photographers, and local photographers. For the past few years, I’ve made more of an effort to start following the work of non-professional photographers, photographers with smaller social media followings, and local photographers. This seemingly small change has helped my photography in ways that the famous photographers I was following couldn’t.

Now, I’m not here to say I think you should stop following the work of established photographers, rather I’d like to highlight the benefits of broadening your exposure to photography by following photographers from all walks of life, including hobbyists and lesser-known local photographers, even if they have less experience and a much smaller social media following than you.

The Benefits of Following Lesser-known Photographers

The Mystery Box

One of the things I love most about following hobbyists is that you never really know what you’re going to get. As much as I admire the famous photographers I follow, I do find myself growing curious about what else they’re capable of. I often wonder what a Mads Peter Iversen citycape would look like, how Thomas Heaton would approach abstract architecture, what would happen if you plopped Peter Stewart into a woodland scene, or how Makoto Hashimuki would handle street photography. These are all photographers who have inspired me and continue to do so, but just the thought of what their unique approach would look like makes me a bit giddy.

With the lesser-known photographers I follow, I’m sometimes surprised by what I see on social media. One week it’s a panoramic landscape, the following week it’s dog portraits, and then a few days later it’s food photography. Are you sacrificing quality when you shift from one type of photography to another? Sure, but when you don’t have any expectations to live up to, it doesn’t really matter. If your image is going to get 30-50 likes regardless of how mind-blowing or less than optimal it is, you can afford to experiment. Again, I’m not saying you should stop following all the famous photographers who spend the majority of their time in similar locations, nor I am criticizing that type of photographer, rather I’m trying to highlight the advantages of broadening your exposure to photographers who have the freedom to try new things.

The Benefits: This can encourage you to stop limiting yourself. I went from exclusively shooting landscapes to shooting abstract architecture, ICM, street photography, travel photography, and even dabbling a bit in portraits with my daughter. Since moving to a beach city, I’ve started shooting more beach landscapes incorporating surfers, fishers, and other beachgoers. Seeing others experiment with different subjects has helped me see the scenes around me in a different way.

As I mentioned in my last write-up, I went from despising people in my frame to using them to enhance a scene. I owe this change entirely to my exposure to lesser-known photographers who needed to shoot the scene they had. With this mindset, your camera can come with you, regardless of where you go. This also means your camera spends more time in your hands than in your bag.

As for my personal rewards, my abstract architecture photography has gained the most international recognition, the vast majority of my sales have come from landscape and cityscape images, and I run street photography workshops in Yokohama with a Tokyo-based company. Being a well-rounded photographer may not be getting me any closer to being a household name, but it’s brought me all the success I have enjoyed, modest though it may be. The more willing you are to try new things, the more likely you are to stay active as a photographer and find your calling.

An ICM image taken in Niigata. I was encouraged to try this shot by a fellow lesser-known photographer while I was struggling to find a clean composition

Fresh Content

Sometimes, when a photographer sticks to the same style of photography or editing, their new work can feel familiar, almost like you’ve seen it before. However, on occasion, there is no ‘feeling’ about it. In my experience, some of the famous photographers I follow, and the ones that are recommended to me, seem to re-post their work from time to time.

I’ve seen this done for several reasons, including a busy schedule, it’s an off-season for their style of photography, they are proud of that particular image, or for promotion. While I’m not inherently against any of these, even the most inspirational photos lose their luster after they’ve popped up in my feed 3 or 4 times. This was at an all-time high between 2020-2022, as many photographers were not able to travel.

This is where I feel The Mystery Box aspect really helped the lesser-known photographers I follow, and thus my viewing experience. While many of the famous photographers I follow resorted to re-posts or simply became inactive, most of the photography hobbyists I follow found ways to stay active, even if it meant photographing the mundane or shooting something completely different.

Again, I’m not demanding that famous or professional photographers grind out new images that are below their standards, I’m simply saying that following someone who isn’t weighed down by expectations can help keep your social media feed fresh, providing new work to keep you inspired.

The Benefits: Many of us use social media to get inspired. As much as I love professional-level work, seeing the same image re-posted time and time again makes me feel anything but. Seeing hobbyists, especially local photographers, find ways to remain active motivated me to explore and shoot my local areas. Rather than dwell on my lack of ability to photograph the iconic city views of Tokyo during the pandemic, I shifted my focus to shooting my local beach, architecture, parks, temples, and shrines.

While I’ll admit that I’m lucky to live in a rather scenic area, it’s not one that seems to attract many established photographers. I haven’t taken any world-beaters, but I have ended up with a few portfolio images and a deeper appreciation for my local area. I’ve also made more than a few sales off the resulting images, so that’s a nice bonus. If you use social media as a source of inspiration, there’s no better way to stay inspired than through a steady stream of unique content.

Taken on my local beach, a location that helped me continue shooting new images while being unable to travel to the city, during the pandemic

Imperfection

Back in the days when I spent most of my time on the photography side of the internet, I was exposed to some of the most amazing images I’d ever seen. To simply call them ‘portfolio worthy’ would be an understatement. Many of them were utterly flawless. The light: perfect. The compositions: immaculate. The locations: otherworldly. As someone just learning the ropes, they gave me something to aspire to.

However, as I continued to shoot and share photos, I noticed something. My work was getting better, but it was still light years behind the work I was seeing posted by others on a daily basis. What once inspired me to keep shooting, soon led to a mentality resulting in fewer and fewer successful outings. If the conditions weren’t quite right, no shot. If I couldn’t find the perfect composition, no shot. If a single person was in the frame, no shot. Days without a successful outing turned to weeks, then weeks into months, and thus I fell into photography slumps, wondering if I’d ever take a worthwhile photo ever again.

This is where, yet again, following lesser-known photographers helped me reignite my passion. Their work wasn’t perfect, but they were sharing it. What’s more, I liked it, despite the flaws. This is when I started spending less time looking solely at the work of professionals or famous photographers and shifted more toward hobbyists. Seeing work that was not only of a similar quality to my own but also in similar locations became my new inspiration to get out and shoot.

The Benefits: This can lead to fewer droughts and more successful outings. Will your ratio of portfolio-grade images per outing go down? Absolutely, but when you have a limited shooting schedule, you can’t let yourself get bogged down by the pressure of performing at a level that is infeasible under your current circumstances. In other words, it’s better to shoot the scenes and conditions you have, than endlessly yearn for the ones you don’t.

A younger version of me would have never published this photo of our local summer festival, due to the blown highlights. Now, I love it despite its flaws as it captures the unique culture of my city.

Interaction

For all its faults, social media has one major benefit: the ability to connect with photographers from all walks of life, regardless of where they live. Over the years, I’ve been able to connect with photographers from Switzerland to South Africa to America, just to name a few. None of these interactions would have been possible, had it not been for social media. Without these connections, I would have absolutely no one to talk to about photography.

This is, again, where I feel following lesser-known photographers has benefited me. When it comes to photographers with a large following, I’ve noticed that it usually tends to be more of a para-social relationship. This isn’t to blame photographers with large followings, I understand they’re busy people, and most of the comments they receive amount to three fire emojis in a row. I too, with my gargantuan following of 970 people will usually scroll past those comments. However, it’s nice to be able to have genuine interactions with other photographers.

Whether it be a comment, DM, or the contact page on their website, I’ve found that the likelihood of getting a response from someone is much higher, the lower their profile is. Apologies if this comes across as entitled, but if you’re not willing to engage in the social aspect of social media, then I feel like I’m not getting the full experience. Again, this isn’t to say they should have to respond to every comment, I’m simply pointing out that I have a more positive social experience with people who see me as a peer, not a fanboy.

The Benefits: It can help you meet like-minded photographers who you can chat with. As someone living in a non-English speaking country, discussing photography on a deep level can be a bit challenging, so I’ve found it to be a good way to meet people to chat with about this art form I love so much. Whether it’s sharing locations or just shooting the breeze, having fellow photographers to chat with can help you get more enjoyment out of the social aspects of social media and inspire you to keep shooting.

A Feeling of Camaraderie

Sometimes, what starts as a simple comment or a DM can bloom into something much more. Over the years I’ve made quite a few online photography buddies. These are fellow photographers I’ve never met in person but continue to keep in touch with via social media. Often, as these connections grow, we tend to build a sense of camaraderie.

Whether it’s seeing a fellow photographer get an image they’d been planning for months, reach a sales goal, win an award, or successfully run their first workshop, there’s something special about rooting for your peers to accomplish their goals. Regardless of how big or how small, I always feel excited when a lesser-known photographer takes a step forward. Watching them succeed in reaching their goals motivates me to work towards doing the same, regardless of how much coffee it takes.

The Benefits: Being a lesser-known photographer working towards big goals can be exhausting. There are ups and downs, and at times it can feel downright hopeless. However, seeing people in a similar situation to yourself achieve their goals, despite their limitations, can be a great way to light a fire under you. Rooting for them, and knowing they’re rooting for you, can sometimes make all the difference when it comes to staying motivated.

Personally, without these connections, I don’t think I would have the courage to take the risks required to make small steps toward big goals. I’ve still got a long way to go, and there’s no guarantee I’ll get there, but seeing my peers reach their goals has given me the confidence to at least try, and it can do the same for you.

This photo took me months to capture and there were countless failed attempts along the way. The support I got from my photography buddies after finally capturing it was heartwarming.

The Benefits of Following Local Photographers

Genuine Meetups

I’ve just finished talking about the benefits of social media, so it only feels fitting to highlight the main benefit of following local photographers: the ability to meet them in person. As much as I enjoy staying in touch with photographers from all over the world online, there’s nothing quite like getting together for a shoot.

While I have gone to meetups organized and attended by internationally famous photographers, it felt as if there was a perceived hierarchy at the events. In my experience, there seemed to be something of a disconnect between those who had already made a name for themselves, and those who were trying to get there. At times, it felt as though I was being talked at, not talked to. That isn’t to say all of my conversations have gone that way, I’ve met some friendly professionals willing to engage in genuine conversation, but it has often felt like a crapshoot. In contrast, when I meet with lesser-known local photographers, the conversations are genuine and the time flies by.

The Benefits: Despite my theater background, I’ve always been somewhat of an introvert. What’s more, I’ve never had any friends who are as passionate about photography as I am. Having local photographers to meet up with gives me someone to hang out with and talk to. Whether you talk about your favorite local photography spots or what you’re binging on our preferred streaming service, it can be good for your mental health and social life to have someone to talk to on a genuine human level.

An image taken during a photo walk with someone I met at a meet-up. This was the only keeper I got, but many laughs were had.

Locations

As I mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons I use social media is to find inspiration. There was a time when I found the work of famous photographers halfway across the world inspiring, but over time, it became the opposite. I often found myself frustrated by the fact that I couldn’t just pop over to the UK, Hong Kong, or Iceland to capture the same kinds of images. This negative energy often led to photography slumps, as I felt like I wasn’t able to create images of the same quality in my ‘boring’ locations. So, I started to find more photographers in Japan, and it made a world of difference.

I was seeing locations that I could visit more realistically, which re-fueled my passion. However, distance and time were still an issue, as I can only take a few domestic trips a year. I soon began to feel the same way, as I grew frustrated that I rarely got perfect conditions when I traveled. So, I decided to take it a step further and follow some local accounts, which again yielded positive results.

I love epic Nordic landscapes as much as the next person, but they don’t really inspire me when the place I live has nothing like that to shoot. While Mount Fuji is my favorite subject to photograph, when I only have a few days a month alone with my camera, the odds of getting the conditions I was seeing the famous photographers capture were minuscule. Seeing people create work from locations that I could go to without much planning has helped me stay active and motivated while still getting home in time to cook dinner.

The Benefits: This can motivate you to explore your local area with a photographer’s eye. When you have a limited number of days or hours with your camera, it can be helpful to stay close to home. This has been the case for me, regardless of where I’ve lived. Whether it was abstract architecture when I was living in suburban Kawasaki, the lesser-explored streets of Yokohama, or the beaches of my current city, I’ve always been able to stay active while remaining close to home.

Following local photographers can help you see ‘unmarketable’ locations around you in a new way. As I mentioned above, I’ve made more than my share of sales from these local photographs. It’s possible that the higher placement in search results these photos receive leads to them being easier to find. While your photos of iconic landmarks and skylines can easily get lost in a pile of millions, photographs from lesser-known areas are often easier to find in search results. Who knows, you may even end up finding a niche market in your own backyard.

The current top Google result when you type in “Chigasaki Sunset” as of writing this

The Wrap-Up

While following well-known photographers can help you improve your skills as a new photographer, there is a great deal of merit in following your peers or even those with a smaller following than you. This isn’t to say we should all unfollow every famous photographer and only follow small accounts, mostly because it would cause a paradox loop, but that I feel people put too much value on the number of followers or level of fame someone has. I still follow plenty of established photographers, but the accounts I get the most out of are the ones that provide me with something more than a para-social experience.

I encourage everyone to find photographers with smaller followings and local photographers to supplement your daily viewing experience. You will be exposing yourself to new artistic voices for inspiration and you may find yourself with more people to engage with in meaningful ways. Besides, if you want to see world-class work that includes zero interaction with the artist, you can always go to an art museum.


About the author: Jordan McChesney is a landscape, cityscape, and abstract Canadian photographer living in Chigasaki, Japan. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. You can find more of McChesney’s work on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Introducing the MINK-E: The Future of Camping is Electric!

Introducing the MINK-E: The Future of Camping is Electric!

In a world where innovation is king, the landscape of outdoor adventures is about to get a new addition. Mink Campers, the Icelandic brand of mobile getaways, have raised the bar with their latest creation – the MINK-E. This teardrop camper isn’t just an ordinary camper – it’s the world’s first fully electric, towable teardrop camper. Get ready to embark on a new adventure within a sustainable, eco-friendly, and comfortable camper.

The MINK-E, the latest addition to the Mink Camper family, is set to revolutionize the way we experience the great outdoors. At just 510 kg, it’s the lightest and most environmentally friendly model Mink Campers has ever produced. While its predecessors relied on diesel heating and gas stoves, the MINK-E is entirely electric, powered by an EV charging socket. This means you can enjoy all the comforts of home while minimizing your carbon footprint.

angled side view of gray and blue teardrop camper in woods

closeup angled side view of gray and blue teardrop camper in woods

Mink Campers have always been known for their distinctive design inspired by their Nordic roots, and the MINK-E is no exception. The teardrop camper boasts an oversized panoramic skylight and large round side windows, providing a connection to nature from the cozy confines of the camper’s luxurious queen-sized Scandinavian mattress.

No more roughing it in a tent. Mink Campers offer the freedom to explore without sacrificing comfort. These compact yet meticulously designed campers provide access to even the most remote locations in a convenient and fun way.

back view of gray and blue teardrop camper in woods

The MINK-E is perfect for everyone from couples to families with young children, or even furry friends. The canvas bunk bed offers sleeping arrangements for the kids and can be easily adjusted or removed to create extra space for your belongings.

back view of gray and blue teardrop camper in woods

back angled view of modern gray and blue teardrop camper pulled by suv in woods

back angled view of modern gray and blue teardrop camper pulled by suv in woods

newer dark SUV on forest road pulling gray and blue teardrop camper

Mink Campers are born to handle the unpredictable weather conditions of Iceland, and the MINK-E is no exception. With walls that are 30 mm thick, made from high-quality, fused ABS plastics and insulated with 19 mm Armaflex, this camper is designed to withstand sub-zero temperatures with ease.

Thanks to its side-wall-integrated AirFlow™ system, which keeps the camper well-ventilated, and the optional powerful Webasto heating system, you’ll stay warm and dry throughout your camping adventures.

angled view of modern gray and blue teardrop camper pulled by suv in woods

Mink Campers have not only set a new standard for camping comfort and innovation but also for sustainability. The MINK-E’s aerodynamic design and frameless Solid Shell Structure™ contribute to its remarkably low weight of just 510 kg. This eco-friendly approach extends to its construction materials, with an emphasis on recyclable components.

Approximately 25% of each unit’s weight consists of molded ABS plastic and Fenix kitchen tabletops, both chosen with circularity in mind. By focusing on these recyclable options, Mink Campers are making a significant step toward a more sustainable camping future.

closeup of front part of gray and blue teardrop camper

The MINK-E offers an immersive experience – imagine lying inside, gazing up at the sky and the surrounding nature, all from the comfort of your teardrop camper.

down view of modern yellow and black teardrop camper on rocky shoreline by water

view from inside camper looking through round doorway at man walking to water

View inside previous model that will be similar to the new MINK-E

view from inside camper looking through round doorway at ocean with large rocks

View inside previous model that will be similar to the new MINK-E

The MINK-E’s rear opens up to a spacious kitchen prep area with ample storage, including an illuminated 36L ice chest for chilled beverages and a storage compartment with a signature cube gas stove. The camper’s kitchen space is fitted with both 12v and 220v sockets, and you can choose from a range of Mink extras, including an enamel camping dining set and duvet sets.

angled back view of yellow and white camper with backend opened with woman cooking in built-in kitchen

Previous model’s backend kitchen which will be similar to newer MINK-E model

The MINK-E just made its official online debut and will be available for viewing in person at the Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, from October 17th to 22nd.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Cherokee Art Market to return to Tulsa

Cherokee Art Market to return to Tulsa

TULSA – A celebration of authentic Native art, Cherokee Art Market will return to Hard Rock Tulsa Oct. 14-15.

At one of the largest Native American art markets in the state, guests will enjoy the work of 150 Native American artists from across the country.

“The list of artists accepted into the 2023 Cherokee Art Market is exceptional, and each year it grows stronger with more diversity in the categories and more tribal nations represented,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “Visitors will see the works of talented creators across Indian Country. We are so proud of this market – one of the most respected juried art markets in the nation – and what it means for our artisan community, as well as the local economic impact it provides annually.”

More than 40 tribes will be represented at the 18th annual Cherokee Art Market, with artwork ranging from beadwork, pottery, paintings, basketry, sculptures, textiles, and more.

Guests can meet directly with each juried artist and learn more about their work. In addition, the market will feature cultural demonstrations, presentations, and conversations with some of the nation’s top Native American artists each day.

“As we approach nearly two decades of Cherokee Art Market, we can’t help but be incredibly proud of how this event has grown and evolved,” Donna Tinnin, senior manager of programs and events for Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism, said. “One thing that has always stood out is our immersive cultural demonstrations that enhance the guest experience. This year we are expanding those efforts to include featured presentations and conversations with key industry stakeholders like our friends at the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. We look forward to providing an entertaining, educational and engaging experience for all.”

Participating artists also compete for their share of more than $75,000 in prize money and top honors and special recognition such as the Best of Show, Innovator Award, Culture Keeper, and more awarded across nearly 30 categories.

An opening reception will be held in the Sky Room at Hard Rock Tulsa on Friday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. to welcome artists and announce winning work. The public is welcome to attend the reception for $35 per person. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Cherokee Art Market is presented by Cherokee Nation Businesses. Co-sponsors include Native American Art Magazine and Tulsa People.

The family-friendly event will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Sequoyah Convention Center at Hard Rock Tulsa. Admission is only $5 at the door.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa is located off Interstate 44 at exit 240. For more information, visit www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.

IRS warns taxpayers of improper art donation deduction promotions; highlights common red flags

IRS warns taxpayers of improper art donation deduction promotions; highlights common red flags

IR-2023-185, Oct. 5, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to watch for promotions involving exaggerated art donation deductions that can target high-income filers and offered special tips for people to use to avoid getting caught in a scheme.

There are ways for taxpayers to properly claim donations of art. But some unscrupulous promoters may use direct solicitation to promise values of art that are too good to be true. These promoters persuade taxpayers, usually high-income taxpayers, to purchase the art, wait to donate the art and then take an incorrect deduction for the art donated. As part of a larger effort to increase compliance work on high-income individuals and corporations, and protect taxpayers from scams, the IRS has active promoter investigations and taxpayer audits underway in this area.

“Creativity in art is a beautiful thing, but aggressive creativity in art donation deductions can paint a bad picture for people pulled into these schemes,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “This is another example where people should be careful when it comes to aggressive marketing and promotions. There are legitimate ways to claim an art donation, but taxpayers should be careful to understand the rules and watch out for inflated values or questionable appraisals. Beauty is not always in the eye of the beholder when it comes to tax deductions of art.”

The IRS is using a variety of compliance tools to combat abusive art donations through audits of tax returns and civil penalty investigations. The IRS reminds taxpayers, including high-income filers that may be targets of these schemes, to watch out for aggressive promotions. In addition, following Inflation Reduction Act funding, the IRS is focused on increasing compliance efforts on high-income and high-wealth individuals to ensure filers pay the right amount of tax owed.

How the scheme works

Promoters encourage taxpayers to buy various types of art, often at a “discounted” price. This price may also include additional services from the promoter, such as storage, shipping and arranging the appraisal and donation of the art. The promotor promises the art is worth significantly more than the purchase price.

These schemes are designed to encourage purchasers to donate the art after waiting at least one year and to claim a tax deduction for an inflated fair market value, which is substantially more than they paid for the artwork. Promoters may suggest taxpayers donate art annually and allow them to buy a quantity of art that guarantees a specific deductible amount. Promoters may even arrange for certain charities to take the donations.

IRS conducting promoter investigations, taxpayer audits involving art donations

As the IRS works to increase compliance activity involving high-income and high-wealth areas as well as complex partnerships and corporations, abusive schemes like art donations are on the agency’s radar.

The IRS has multiple active abusive art donation promoter investigations underway and questionable art donations by taxpayers have been – and will continue to be — under audit when questions arise. These donations can involve art valued at millions of dollars. More than 60 taxpayer audits have been completed with more in the works; those audits that have produced more than $5 million in additional tax.

Watch for red flags

Taxpayers should be wary of buying multiple works by the same artist that have little to no market value outside of what the promoter might be advertising.

Another red flag in this scheme is that promoters might line up specific appraisers for participants to use. An appraisal that supports this scheme often fails to adequately describe the art. It may not address the value characteristics, such as rarity, age, quality, condition, stature of the artist, price paid and the quantity purchased.

Taxpayers should remember they are always responsible for the accuracy of information reported on their tax return. Participating in an illegal scheme to avoid paying taxes can result in repayments of the taxes owed with penalties and interest and potentially even fines and imprisonment. Charities also need to be careful they don’t knowingly enable these schemes.

Properly claiming an art donation

To properly claim a charitable contribution deduction for an art donation, a taxpayer must keep records to prove:

  • Name and address of the charitable organization that received the art.
  • Date and location of the contribution.
  • Detailed description of the donated art.

The above items are required to properly claim a charitable contribution deduction. There are additional requirements based on the value of the claimed deduction. If the claimed deduction for an art donation is:

  • $250 or more, the taxpayer must obtain a contemporaneous written acknowledgement of the contribution from the charitable organization. They need to have that document on or before the earlier of the date on which they file a return for the taxable year in which they made the contribution, or the due date, including extensions, for filing such return.
  • More than $500 but not over $5,000, the taxpayer must also complete a Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contribution, Section A, and attach it to their tax return.
  • More than $5,000, the taxpayer must complete Form 8283, Section B, including signatures of qualified appraiser and donee. They must also obtain a qualified written appraisal of the donated property.
  • $20,000 or more, the taxpayer must do all the above and attach a complete copy of the qualified appraisal to their return. They should also have a high-resolution photo or digital image of the object and provide it, if asked.

See Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated PropertyPDF, for requirements of a qualified written appraisal.

IRS Art Appraisal Services (AAS)

The IRS has a team of professionally trained Appraisers in Art Appraisal Services who provide assistance and advice to the IRS and taxpayers on valuation questions in connection with personal property and works of art.

Although organized under the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, Art Appraisal Services assists IRS’ examination function, lawyers from the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and the Department of Justice, as well as Appeals Officers, on the valuation of personal property and works of art.

In certain cases, the Art Appraisal Service is advised by the Commissioner’s Art Advisory Panel. The panel is comprised of up to 25 renowned art experts who serve without compensation and provide advisory opinions. IRS Appraisers, the Director of Art Appraisal Services, and panel members meet regularly to discuss the valuation of art works submitted for review by Art Appraisal Services.

How to report tax schemes

Taxpayers can report tax-related illegal activities relating to charitable contributions of art using:

More information

Filmstock Celebrates Analog Photography, Beer, and Camaraderie

Filmstock Celebrates Analog Photography, Beer, and Camaraderie

Filmstock 2023

Filmstock: The Analog Photography Meetup will take place Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7 in Atlanta for a “first-of-its-kind film photography event.”

Filmstock, held by KEH Camera and The Darkroom Lab, will include a social get-together, special guests, and a photo walk through Atlanta.

Both days include a “Beers and Cameras Meetup” at Monday Night Brewing West Midtown and BrewDog Atlanta Outpost on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The photo walk takes place Saturday afternoon, led by KEH, The Darkroom Lab, and special guests. The walk will go through Atlanta’s Beltline in Midtown, as attendees get the change to capture the city along the way. KEH Camera also encourages people to tag their shots with “#Filmstock2023,” so anyone unable to attend can at least see the photographs from the event.

“This photo walk is not only an opportunity to create stunning images but also a chance to connect with like-minded creatives, share techniques, and immerse oneself in the art of film photography,” a release for the event reads.

The list of special guests includes Paul Baldonado, Matt Day, Mike Gray, Caleb Knueven, Jason Kummerfeldt, Sissi Lu, Jonathan Paragas, Taylor Pendleton, and Beatriz Valim.

The Filmstock website also lists places to explore, which visiting photographers might want to check out on their own, including the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Beltline Trail, Atlanta History Center, College Football Hall of Fame, Colony Square, Fernbank Science Museum, Georgia Aquarium, High Museum of Art, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Piedmont Park, and the World of Coca-Cola.

“This event is a celebration of the enduring allure of film photography,” CEO of KEH Camera Noah Treshnell says. “It’s a chance for photographers to come together, learn from each other, and capture the beauty of Atlanta through the lens of analog cameras.”

Filmstock is meant for photographers of all experience levels and welcomes all, aiming to foster “an environment of creative exchange and inspiration.”

While the event is free, registration is required, and some events have already met capacity. Those interested can find tickets on the KEH Camera website.


Image credits: KEH Camera