For photographers who cannot get enough of photography in the real world, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it in the virtual world.

Perhaps the most famous photography game of all time is Pokémon Snap, a cult classic for the Nintendo 64 that has received a much-anticipated sequel on Nintendo Switch. However, photography games go far beyond on-rails “point and shoot” games like Pokémon Snap.

Some games, such as Season, A Letter to the Future, instead use photography as a vital narrative element to tell a compelling story. Others try to simulate photography in video game form, proposing a realistic photo experience.

There is even a subset of photography games that are “horror” video games, where the character uses a camera to photograph ghosts and monsters or sometimes even must survive a terrifying situation armed only with a camera.

Some games are not about photography but include sophisticated “photo modes,” allowing virtual photographers to capture incredible, lifelike images of amazing scenes or even plan out real-world shoots using a game. Beginner photographers can also learn some basic skills using photo modes. For example, games with realistic lighting engines can teach people much about how light interacts with different subjects.

Table of Contents

Games in Which Photography is the Primary Gameplay Element

These video games are ones where photography is the sole or primary way the player interacts with the game. The gameplay loop itself is photography. This does not necessarily mean a game is a photography simulator, although it can be. It just means the player spends most of their time taking photos during normal gameplay.

New Pokémon Snap

Available on: Switch, $60

Retro alternative: Pokémon Snap (Nintendo 64, $14-100 depending on condition)

New Pokémon Snap is the long-awaited sequel to Pokémon Snap on Nintendo 64. Released more than 20 years after the original game, New Pokémon Snap on Nintendo Switch is a beautiful game that offers the same fundamental gameplay loop as its predecessor, albeit with way better visuals, many more Pokémon, and a handful of new features.

In New Pokémon Snap, players assume the role of a Pokémon Photographer and travel around different habitats in an on-rails hovercraft. The craft moves through the levels at a constant rate, although the player can speed up. Players can capture photos of a wide range of Pokémon exhibiting different behaviors and interesting poses by using different items and paying close attention to their surroundings. Players are scored based on how centered a Pokémon is, its pose and behavior, its size in the frame, and its rarity. Players are encouraged to replay levels to see new areas and unlock secret interactions.

Nintendo even worked with Fujifilm to make a mobile app for the game that allows players to print images from an Instax Mini Link printer. There is also a Pokémon-themed printer available.

Summary: This game is suitable for players of all ages and is a great choice for anyone who loves Pokémon. It is not a great choice for people who want their images judged based on genuine composition or people who want a photography simulator.

Lushfoil Photography Sim

Available on: PC and Consoles, Coming Soon

While not yet available, Lushfoil Photography Sim is poised to be a beautiful, realistic photography simulation game on PC and consoles. Published by Annapurna Interactive, Lushfoil is currently in beta testing and is built upon developer Matt Newell’s prior games, Castle Rock Beach, West Australia and Mýrdalssandur, Iceland.

Using Unreal Engine 5, Lushfoil promises significantly improved visuals with better fidelity and realism. Many locations will appeal to landscape and nature photographers, including environments in Italy, Japan, France, Nepal, and China.

The game provides players with a realistic DSLR camera and a first-person drone that they can use to explore environments and capture lifelike photos.

Summary: This photography simulation looks like it will offer a fun, realistic photo experience for its players. While it may not have the charm of a game like New Pokémon Snap, Lushfoil will probably appeal to more serious photographers.

Afrika

Available on: PlayStation 3, $100-$150 used

Given that Afrika is a PlayStation 3 game – and very expensive on the used market – it is only a compelling choice for video game collectors or extreme photography gamers. However, if someone could find the game for cheap, they will find a relatively in-depth game with many exciting photography features.

In Afrika, the player is a photojournalist or zoologist hired to photograph wild animals in Africa. The game is all about missions, which players receive at base camp. Traveling by foot, car, or even hot air balloon, players must explore and find specific animals to photograph.

Completing missions earns players in-game money, which they can spend on new supplies, like an upgraded camera or new lenses. Given that it is a PlayStation game, it is no surprise that the in-game cameras are Sony models, including the Sony a100, a350, and a700. Players can even unlock a vertical grip for the a700 model. Lenses include various Sony A-mount zooms and the 300mm f/2.8 G, which is the cream of the crop.

There are also remote control cameras, camera traps, and automatic “Crittercam” equipment to unlock.

When players photograph virtual animals, they unlock real-life photos and videos of animals. Be careful, though, as being attacked by an animal in the game results in losing all the photos from a safari.

Summary: Despite receiving mixed reviews and not selling well, Afrika is a very in-depth game. Having imported the game when it launched in Japan, I would welcome a sequel, but that will never happen.

Umurangi Generation

Available on: PC, Switch, and Xbox, $15-25

An indie darling, Umurangi Generation, landed on PC in 2020 and arrived on consoles the following year. In the stylized first-person game, players must take photos of objects with specific lenses. Aside from these missions, players can explore the world to their heart’s content.

By progressing through the game and completing missions, players unlock different lenses, including telephoto and fisheye optics, and can apply additional edits and effects to their images.

There is an expansion, Umurangi Generation Macro that added camera systems like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO adjustments, plus four new levels. The DLC also added roller skates to allow players to move around the world more rapidly.

Umurangi Generation delivers a strong narrative, offers interesting photography elements, and has been received very well by critics.

Summary: Some photography games offer a compelling story, while others offer interesting photography simulation elements. Very few games offer both. Umurangi Generation is one of those rare gems.

Pupperazzi

Available on: PC, Switch, and Xbox, $14-20

Few photographic subjects are as popular as cute animals, especially dogs. Some dogs even have their own Instagram accounts with millions of followers. Pupperazzi is all about taking photos of virtual dogs to build a social media following.

Players are tasked with getting the best photos of the cutest and most stylish dogs. As players get more followers, they can acquire upgraded camera gear. Players must overcome obstacles to get the best shot of the most popular dogs.

In their review for Game Informer, Jill Grodt says that Pupperazzi is “…the gaming equivalent of cotton candy. It’s sweet and makes the day feel more festive, but it’s not going to tide you over if you’re looking for something with real substance.”

The game is simple, sweet fun with a charming exterior and not an awful lot happening under the surface. There is nothing wrong with that, by the way. When you crave cotton candy, it tastes great, even though it is shallow and fleeting.

Summary: Cute dogs, photography, and photos of cute dogs. What else could somebody want? Depth? That is not here. But did I mention the cute dogs?

Games That Use Photography as a Gameplay or Narrative Element

There are also many games where photography is part of a game’s design but is used more to help tell the story or work alongside other essential gameplay elements. While a game like Season, A Letter to the Future has players use a camera a lot, the photography elements work alongside other activities to tell an engrossing story. The camera is part of the experience but not the entire experience.

Beasts of Maravilla Island

Available on: PC, Switch, and Xbox, $10

A very affordable game, Beasts of Marvilla Island puts players in the shoes of a young wildlife photographer as they explore an island and try to capture photos, solve puzzles, and learn more about the mysterious locale.

Based on reviews, the game does not seem especially impressive, and it runs poorly on Nintendo Switch. However, it still earns a spot on this list because it is just $10, and it sports an engaging art style. Besides, on Steam, players enjoy the game, so it is far from universally panned.

Summary: This game has mixed reviews but is an affordable photography-oriented game with a lovely art style and interesting premise. It is a good choice for people who want a quick game at a fair price.

Season, A Letter to the Future

Available on: PC, PlayStation, $25-30

PetaPixel’s Jaron Schneider wrote a fantastic, in-depth review of Season, A Letter to the Future earlier this year. That is the best place to learn about the game. However, very broadly, the game is about investigating the idea of memory and experience.

Through exploration; recording using a camera, tape recorder, and journal; and digging into the mysterious world, the game leads the player to question the concept of remembering. The in-game camera is straightforward, although not quite as simple as the one in New Pokémon Snap, it remains a valuable tool for the player to grapple with the idea of the temporariness of memories and the permanence of photographs.

Summary: A good choice for people who want to enjoy a relatively short story in a mysterious world. Photography matters here, but not in the way that it does in a photo simulation game.

The Good Life

Available on: PC, Switch, Xbox, Playstation, $20-40

Armed with a camera and the ability to transform into an animal, the protagonist in The Good Life tries to solve a murder mystery in a strange British town. In her human form, the hero, Naomi, is a journalist able to take photos. Exciting photos will earn Naomi more social media followers, which results in more money to spend on items.

Naomi can explore the town in different ways as a cat or dog. Yes, it is a strange game.

As the player tries to get to the bottom of the underlying mystery, they must also ensure Naomi is clean, rested, and fed. The game is part investigation, part exploration, and part role-playing game.

Summary: The RPG uses photography as a gameplay element, but the star of the show is the complete absurdity of nearly everything that occurs.

Snapshot

Available on: PC and Mac, $10

Snapshot is an odd game challenging to fit into a box. On the one hand, the main character’s camera is required to play the game, so photography is a critical gameplay element. On the other hand, the player’s camera is used to manipulate objects in the world rather than take photos.

The side-scrolling game forces players to capture “snapshots” of objects in the world and then use those photos to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.

Summary: Photographers who enjoy puzzles but do not necessarily need great photos in their video games should consider Snapshot.

Eastshade

Available on: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, $12-25

This is a weird one. In Eastshade, the player is a traveling painter exploring the eponymous island of Eastshade. Anthropomorphic animals populate the island, and the player explores from a first-person perspective.

Technically the player is painting pictures, but the process is a lot like composing a photograph, so it is more of an adventure photography game than anything else. Alongside these compositional exercises, players must also use their artistic talents to help the island’s inhabitants.

Despite its oddities, the game has fared quite well with critics, with many lauding Eastshade for its immersive world and lack of combat elements.

Summary: Eastshade is a good choice for adventure game fans. It is a serene, peaceful game that is somewhat light on “photography” but heavy on character.

Beyond Good & Evil

Available on: PC, Xbox 360, $10

Will Beyond Good & Evil 2 ever come out? It is hard to say, given that the game was first announced more than six years ago with no release date in sight. However, the original game, launched in 2003, remains a classic.

Players take control of Jade, an investigative reporter armed with a camera. Jade is much more than just a photographer, though, she is also skilled in martial arts and is a hitwoman. She has quite the CV.

Players take photos, sneak around, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies throughout the game’s story. Jade uses her camera to obtain evidence, complete assignments, and earn money. After upgrading her camera, she can even use it to attack enemies.

There is a good reason gamers so badly want Beyond Good & Evil 2 to come out finally — the original game is so good.

Summary: While the game’s graphics have not aged that well, and some gameplay elements are dated, Beyond Good & Evil delivers an engrossing story, stars an excellent protagonist, and uses a camera in interesting, albeit limited, ways.

Horror Games with Photography Elements

Horror games and psychological thrillers deserve their own category. They are scary, disturbing, and not for everyone.

Fatal Frame Series

Available on: PC and Consoles – Varies

The Fatal Frame series started in 2001 and is still going strong to this day with the latest release, Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse. While each entry in the series differs a bit, in every case, the player is equipped with a “Camera Obscura.” It is not an actual camera obscura but a special camera that can capture and calm spirits.

The player’s camera is their defense against the horrors lurking in the game’s many shadows. The camera can damage ghosts. The amount of damage the camera deals to an enemy depends on whether they are focused. As players defeat more enemies, they get more points, which they can use to upgrade the camera and acquire more powerful film.

Only some spirits in the games are out to get you. Some are passive and more like collectibles. However, if a player misses a spirit, they may be gone forever, never to be seen again.

While all games in the series are generally well-received by critics, save for a bad entry on Nintendo 3DS, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly stands above the rest and is considered by many to be among the best horror games ever made.

Summary: For photographers who love horror, are interested in Japanese folklore, and like taking photos under pressure, the Fatal Frame series is perfect.

Phasmophobia

Available on: PC , on Consoles in August 2023, $14

Fatal Frame is sort of like a ghost-hunting game, but Phasmophobia fully leans into the idea of capturing photos of ghosts. Phasmophobia is also notable because it is a cooperative horror game, one of the few multiplayer games in this guide.

Players communicate using in-game walkie-talkies and work together to complete missions. Of course, these missions are all centered around finding ghosts. Thanks in large part to a lively Twitch community and popularity on YouTube, Phasmophobia has found a passionate community of fans. The game is coming soon to Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.

Summary: This paranormal investigation game is all about using cooperation and a camera to capture footage of ghosts. It is a good choice for horror fans and photographers looking for a game to play with friends.

Outlast

Available on: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, $20

In Outlast, players assume the role of an investigative journalist learning more about an abandoned psychiatric hospital.

Played from a first-person perspective, the player must avoid enemies, as they have no weapons to attack any threats or defend themselves. Further, much of the game occurs in pitch darkness, so the only way to see is by looking through a camcorder equipped with night vision.

Summary: A terrifying game that tests the mettle of its players.

Martha is Dead

Available on: PC, PlayStation, $30

Another first-person game, Martha is Dead, takes place in Italy in 1944 and blurs the lines between reality, superstition, and the tragedy of World War II.

Set in a fictional town occupied by German soldiers, the player takes control of a photography-obsessed young girl, Giulia, who discovers the corpse of her twin sister, Martha, when taking nature photos at a lake near their home.

The narrative-driven game explores trauma, the blurry line between reality and delusion, and mental illness primarily through the lens of Giulia’s 1940 Rolleicord camera. The player uses photography to work through concepts of memory and how tragedy can disrupt the very idea of reality itself.

Summary: Players must confront terror through the lens of a Rollei camera. While emotionally driven, the game sports plenty of jump scares and horror, so it is far from a lighthearted romp through Italy.

Games with Great Photo Modes

Beyond the above games that are, at least in part, about photography and taking photos, plenty of games have nothing to do with photography but include spectacular in-game camera features and photo modes.

Games like Gran Turismo 7 and Forza Horizon 5 enable players on PlayStation and Xbox, respectively, to capture highly realistic and beautiful photos of cars.

Narrative games like Red Dead Redemption, God of War, The Last of Us, and Horizon Forbidden West let players take time away from story progression to capture beautiful, lifelike portraits and landscape images using sophisticated cameras, complete with exposure controls, editing tools, and sometimes even different focal lengths and apertures.

Virtual photographers like Frederic Verdickt show that players must have a photographer’s eye and artistic skills even for virtual photography.

Summary

As video games become more realistic and virtual worlds grow richer, there are many ways for real-world photographers to enjoy photography in video games.

Whether it is taking lifelike virtual photos, enjoying a narrative through a virtual camera lens, or melding a passion for cameras with a love of horror, many great photography-themed video games are available on PC and consoles.

… things happen … some bad and some good … sorrow and joy … farewells and hellos … loss and gain and over none of these things do we have a say or control over. A year ago, this past weekend I lost One do to some very rare circumstances and two days later I welcomed Katie into our home.

That is a photo of One above, taken a few weeks before she left … she was with us for almost ten years and below is a photo of Katie, shortly after she was welcomed into our home. She has taken over as the gentle ruler of our home.

The problem with befriending these wonderful creatures and bringing them into our lives is that they have short lifespans when compared with ours … that means we will experience loss and it is difficult to lose a creature that has so intertwined its life with yours. There were thoughts of not welcoming another four-legged friend into my life … the freedom of not having the responsibility was considered, but the thought of the vacuum and joy that they bring into life prevailed, and Katie pictured below, came home just two days after losing One.

Unlike our previous cats, Katie is an indoor cat, and she seems very happy with that … and her three condos and the attention of everyone who enters our home. For me I have the rich memories Of One, Q, and Nimbus whilst building new ones with Katie. Not much travel, but I love where I am and the day tripping that I do in Arizona … it is a good life, and I am blessed!

The Humane Society of Sedona was the temporary home for all of our feline friends whilst in Sedona (33 years … 31+ full time.) Support them … they save a lot of critters and bring joy to a lot of people!

Have a beautiful day, smile at those you meet and greet … keep breathing and share smiles with all whom you meet. Life is beautiful and precious, and the best part is that we can share these blessings with others.

Cheers,

Ted

Love some one—in God’s name love some one—
for this is the bread of the inner life, without which
a part of you will starve and die; and though you feel
you must be stern, even hard, in your life of affairs,
make for yourself at least a little corner, somewhere
in the great world, where you may unbosom and be kind.

Love Some One by Max Ehrmann

###

The easiest way to reach Mr. Grussing is by email: ted@tedgrussing.com

In addition to sales of photographs already taken Ted does special shoots for patrons on request and also does air-to-air photography for those who want photographs of their airplanes in flight. All special photographic sessions are billed on an hourly basis.

Ted also does one-on-one workshops for those interested in learning the techniques he uses.  By special arrangement Ted will do one-on-one aerial photography workshops which will include actual photo sessions in the air.

More about Ted Grussing …

“The Things You Do for Love” by Amit Eshel. Winner, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat.
“Looks like the set for the next Mission Impossible, but for Nubian Ibexes, the high-altitude rocky terrains are home. The vulnerable ibex species is known for many things–large semi-circular horns, the ability to scale mountains with ease and the territorial fights that males engage in during the rutting season. Displays of dominance begin with showing off their impressive horns. If that doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to escalate by pushing and shoving the opponent and literally locking horns with them. Ibexes also stand on their hind legs as they get ready to strike.”

The 2023 Nature inFocus Photography Awards recently announced its winners during a ceremony held in Bangalore, India. The winners were selected from 24,000 images of wildlife submitted by over 1,500 photographers. In the end, filmmaker and conservationist Srikanth Mannepuri was named Photographer of the Year for a portfolio of images that highlight the threats facing mangrove forests along the coast of India.

Photographers from around the globe were invited to submit their best photography to six categories—Animal Portraits, Animal Behaviour, Conservation Focus, Creative Nature Photography, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat, and Photographer of the Year – Portfolio. While the contest’s origins are in India, this year’s competition saw increased participation from international photographers.

“The Nature inFocus Photography Awards has grown to become a meeting place for national and international photographers,” says Rohit Varma, one of the founders of Nature inFocus. “Every year, we see images that reveal new facets of our natural world while shining a light on pertinent global conservation issues. We are thrilled to see the growth in the number of participants and the geographical locations. It truly has become an international platform for wildlife photographers!”

From exciting moments of leopards stalking their prey to incredible compositions using insects, the creative visions of nature from this year’s winners are exceptional. We’ve gathered some of our favorite winners from this year’s contest below, and you can check out the full list on the Nature inFocus website.

The Nature inFocus Photography Awards highlights the power of wildlife.

“Shell I Eat You?” by Sankhesh Dedhia. Winner, Animal Behaviour.
“This stunning action shot captures a rarely-seen natural history moment, where the legendary Arrowhead of Ranthambhore fishes out an Indian Softshell Turtle from the lake for lunch. A tiger’s diet in the wild can be very varied as the felid can prey on pretty much everything on its turf, even a turtle, hence proved!”

“Disappearing Guardians” by Srikanth Mannepuri. Winner, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio.
“Entirely shot from a drone, the photographer zooms out on the mangrove forests of coastal Andhra Pradesh to capture the magnitude and scale of the threats this unique ecosystem is facing today.”

“Lights Will Guide You Home” by Merche Llobera. Special Mention, Animal Behaviour.
“A pod of Spinner Dolphins dives back into the beautifully lit waters of the Pacific Ocean, creating this stunning scene of a cetacean avalanche. One of the dolphins can be seen gazing into the camera lens, adding a touch of curiosity and connection to the frame.”

“A Love Like No Other” by Afroj Sheikh. Winner, Animal Behaviour.
“Caught in the crosshairs of a hungry leopard, the vulnerable mother and baby langur had little chance of survival. The hunt and the chase had led the predator and prey up a tree before the mother succumbed to the suffocating hold of the large cat. But in embracing death, the mother was able to save her offspring.”

“A Sappy Alliance” by Avinash PC. Winner, Animal Behaviour.
“Symbiotic relationships are plenty in the natural world! But none as sappy and sugary as the mutualistic relationship between ants and aphids. Aphids are tiny, sap-sucking insects that are serious plant pests. They secrete a sugar-rich liquid called honeydew, a favorite food of ants! So much so that the ants protect these insects from other predators and even shepherd them to the healthiest parts of the plant to maintain a steady stream of sweet honeydew!”

“Inspector Booby” by Suliman Alatiqi. Winner, Animal Portraits.
“Brown Boobys spend a significant portion of their lives in the open ocean. Their clumsy nature on land earned them their namesake, derived from the Spanish word bobo, which means stupid or daft. They are excellent foragers of the sea and plunge-dive to feed on anything from anchovies and sardines to squid and shrimp. The photographer watched this individual dipping its head underwater at short intervals and got in position to capture a close-up portrait of the bird from the perspective of its fated prey.”

“The Bonobo and His Pet” by Christian Ziegler. Winner, Animal Portraits.
“The last great ape to be described, the Bonobo, is one of our closest living relatives. Here, a wild Bonobo who caught a mongoose pup is looking after it like a pet. He later released the animal unharmed. This behavior has only been recorded once before by Prof Barbara Fruth at this site.”

The winners were selected from 24,000 images.

“Symmetry in Mimicry” by Arkaprava Ghosh. Winner, Creative Nature Photography.
“Mimicry is the highest form of flattery, they say. But in the animal world, it is among the best defense mechanisms. Here, Line-forest Skimmers position themselves aptly on the perennial Phanera vahlii creeper to resemble an inflorescence. Notice how the dragonflies have raised their abdomens in unison? Fooling a predator never looked this intricate.”

“Slender in the Night” by Arnav Deshpande. Winner, Young Photographer.
“Like the spiders they are commonly confused with, Harvestmen too have eight legs–mostly long and thin in contrast to their bodies. They are living fossils, the original ‘Daddy Longlegs,’ having remained unchanged for millions of years. On a rainy night, the young photographer spotted this Opilione sheltering in a crevice, raindrops glistening on its limbs.”

“Chiaroscuro” by Kai Kolodziej. Winner, Creative Nature Photography.
“Here is a gentle reminder that photographing the natural world is not just about documenting the megafauna but also zooming in on the speck on a blade of grass to reveal the chiaroscuro of a mayfly.”

“Gecko’s Garage” by Vidyun Hebbar. Special Mention, Young Photographer.
“The Andaman Day Gecko or the Green Emerald Gecko is a bright-colored gecko endemic to the Andaman islands. The young photographer was on vacation when he spotted this shy creature lurking inside a chandelier light.”

“The Rarest of Them All” by Sergey Gorshkov. Special Mention, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat.
“One of the rarest cats in the world, the Amur Leopard certainly makes you earn your sighting. The critically endangered felid faces several threats, including poaching for its fur. While suitable habitats are present across Russia and China, these leopards are threatened by the scarcity of prey animals.”

“Giants in Peril” by Lalith Ekanayake. Special Mention, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio.
“In Sri Lanka, Asian Elephants are considered sacred animals, associated with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Despite this cultural status, they face challenges such as human-elephant conflict and habitat loss. Villagers often suffer crop destruction, yet maintain respect for these majestic creatures.
Once found throughout the island, the elephants’ ancient homes and migratory routes are now restricted. They are classified as Endangered by the IUCN, highlighting the need for immediate conservation efforts.”

“Skimmer Love” by Padmanava Santra. Special Mention, Creative Nature Photography.
“The atmospheric blue brushstrokes, the warm sunset glow on the orange bills of the Indian Skimmers and the bokeh on the water body; what’s not to love about this image?”

“Easy Like a Sunday” by Bharath Kumar V. Special Mention, Animal Portraits.
“Live life king-size, they say. So if you are the king of the jungle, what do you do after a hearty meal but roll over and relax? Never mind the flies all around, trying to break your siesta.”

“Cry Me a River” by Hiren Pagi. Winner, Conservation Focus.
“Every once in a while, news sites report that a dead crocodile was found in the Vishwamitri river, a fleeting acknowledgment of the water body’s ~270 Mugger Crocodiles. The image shows the conditions in which these reptiles coexist with humans. The river has become a dumping yard for the nearby establishments, and in various places, drainage water also makes its way into the mix. The Mugger Crocodiles of the river face many threats, including habitat loss and water pollution.”

“Raiders of Hives” by Pranav Mahendru. Winner, Young Photographer.
“In the dense forests of Satpura, a pair of Oriental Honey Buzzards raid a beehive. These raptors hunt for food in beehives and wasp nests but, unlike what their name suggests, they prefer bee and wasp larvae over actual honey.”

“Worlds Apart” by Dileep SS. Winner, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat.
“Think Dubai and the first thing that comes to mind is architectural marvels that make the sky seem at arm’s reach. The tall buildings may be Dubai’s trademark visuals, but another world coexists alongside the dazzle, where wildlife thrives in the desert. The image juxtaposes these two worlds—the towering skyscrapers and the endless sands—a gentle reminder to look beyond the concrete.”

Nature inFocus: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Nature inFocus.

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Join photographer Mike Cox as he covers the world of smartphone photography at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 19.

Cox will discuss the limitations of mobile phone photography, how to choose the right phone, various phone camera modes, phone accessories and tips for improving your shots.

After the classroom session, Cox will lead the group on the photo walk from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Participants will have the opportunity to capture some of the beautiful summer prairie sights using their phones only. To register and for information, contact Nancy Coronoa at nancy_corona@fws.gov or call 515-994-3400

The refuge is located right off highway 163 in Prairie City at 9981 Pacific Street — only about 30 minutes east of Des Moines. For more information about the refuge and event, including driving directions, visit fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith.

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Bruce Mathews transforms breathtaking floral specimens into glorious works of art. His not-to-be-missed photography show, “Flowers When No One’s Looking,” at the Edgartown library runs through the end of August.

Mathews eliminates the existing background from his still lives, which he sets up by suspending his flowers in water, freezing them, and tugging apart their blossoms or seed pods. He locks his subject matter into place with a solid black or pure white background, eliminating any illusion of depth and thereby transforming nature into elegant abstract compositions of color and shape that he composes intuitively with his keen eye.

Moving chronologically from left to right along the wall, we begin with the white background prints from around 2020, with flattened flower petals that spread out, caught in a moment of time. Those in “Yellow Flag Iris” seem to twist and turn in the wind. Shot through a car window, the petals have different levels of luminosity, sheer translucency at certain points, and darker intensity when they fold over on themselves. 

Quite the opposite are Mathew’s photos with the deep black background, which increases the flowers’ brilliant hues and creates razor-sharp edges that emphasize the organic shapes and focus our eyes on the overall composition. His works are produced as giclée prints. These high-quality pieces are made on fine-resolution printers capable of fine detail and color range, giving the prints a painterly quality. This is immediately apparent when you approach the pieces, as in his exquisite “Bird of Paradise,” which, like an avian, appears caught mid-flight. Another with inherent movement is “Moth Orchid,” where three specimens float by as we gaze straight on, mesmerized by the intricacy Mathew captures with his lens.

There is plenty of motion in his black-and-white milkweed series as well. In “Milkweed Seeds No. 6,” for example, a succession of black seeds, with their dangling, wispy threads, line up back-to-back to create a fan-like arc of figures — perhaps wearing African masks and flowing robes — that whimsically falls backward from a standing position until hitting the ground. Of course, another might see a completely different scene. Each print beckons for its own interpretation, bestowed by the eyes of the beholder.

With just a few exceptions, Mathews arranges his “subjects” rather than capturing flowers as they appear in their natural, outdoor environment. There is nothing random in “Siberian Iris,” for instance, where a dominant, fabulously hued central purple bloom is flanked by two duplicate sentinels on either side, thereby establishing perfect symmetry. The title of “Arrangement No. 3 with Peruvian Lily” denotes Mathews’ intentionality with his composition. While still quite close up, he fills the space with a variety of very different flowers, which burst the confines of the picture frame.

Mathews began his photographic journey at about 18 years old, working in a darkroom and taking pictures of his own. He then studied at Boston’s Museum School and at Pratt Institute in New York. In the late 1970s, he started assisting a great many photographers, doing mostly corporate industrial work, producing annual reports, brochures, and the like, building a client list that included AT&T, American Express, Citibank, JPMorgan, Wall Street Journal, and Young & Rubicam, among others. Working with some 60 photographers over the years, he recounts, “That’s where you really learn photography. There’s nothing like it.”

When Mathews first moved to the Vineyard full-time in 1999, he started out by giving bus tours for a few years, and then picked up his own photography again. At first, he shot flowers outdoors, but yearned for something unique. Also, with health challenges, he says, “I needed to get some specialty that didn’t require a lot of moving about, so I decided to shoot flowers just in my home.” His approach, he says, “Is picture-making; that other was picture-taking.” 

With his unique vision, Mathews gives us an alternate vision of the botanical world that brings nature to a high art.

Bruce Mathews’ “Flowers When No One’s Looking,” on view at the Edgartown library throughout August. Reception on Monday, August 14, from 4 to 6 pm. For more information about Bruce Mathews, visit brucemathewsphotography.com.

You might not necessarily know the name Jvdas Berra, but you’ve surely seen his photos. The Mexican photographer who has had his work published by Vogue, ELLE, Nylon, Marie Claire, InStyle, Image Amplified, Vanidades, Photography Master Class, and NatGeo among others, is now coming out with a new book entitled Jvdas. And just like many photographers, he got into the art form just by trying it out — telling us that he abandoned his studies in film a long time ago.

Part of what makes Jvdas’s work so peculiar is his ideas. He told us several years ago that his mind is more or less mental chaos. “My inspiration comes from many places, born from a sound, an image, to a feeling I may be experiencing,” he told us. “Similarly, cinema greatly influences my thinking, so I attribute much of my changing style to filmmaking.” He added on that he’s not a very tidy person overall.

My love for animals is even greater than my love for fashion. From childhood I always looked at the beautiful pictures in National Geographic magazines and one of my biggest dreams since I can remember was dedicate myself to wildlife photograph until I met fashion photography and gradually I was able to make riskier projects.

Jvdas Berra to us in an interview

Jvdas mixes in several romantic and magical elements to his imagery, and that’s why we called him one of the best fashion photographers of 2023. His Birds of Prey series, specifically incorporated the use of avian friends to promote conservation in a subtle way throughout the images. The same idea was applied to Autumn for the Elephants. And while still quite magical, we don’t see the animals in Desperate Hollywood Wife. His entire output of artwork, however, is unified with a sense of beauty, mystery, and surreal creativity that isn’t seen all that often anymore.

In the new book by Jvdas Berra, you’ll find several of these images for you to be inspired by. The photographer tells us that he manages every part of the production — including location scouting. That’s a major part of how these images happen. Additionally, we also have to consider things like the set design, pre-production, and all. For sure, Jvdas’s work is a production in and of itself. There’s a lot of work involved, and it shows.

More importantly, Jvdas’s work is all things done mostly in-camera. This isn’t a book of AI artwork. Instead, it’s a body of photography that has been created with real people — not some sort of composite put together with prompts. The images are all real.

That statement brings us to the point of authenticity — which is something that the pandemic majorly emphasized but that has started to disappear. Images are things that we simply consume as part of digital content. But this is a book. A photography book is far different from what you see on a screen. It contains within it several images that you can sit and stare at. There are no distractions or apps pinging you for attention. Instead, it lets you stare and ask yourself several questions about the photo. More importantly, it forces you to move around and interact with it vs sitting in front of a screen. Depending on the paper that you’re printing the photo on, you’ll get one experience or another.

Photo books are incredibly important, and Jvdas’s is no exception.

All images used with permission in our interviews from Jvdas Berra.