WATERTOWN — The Armenian Museum of America (AMofA) recently announced the opening of its next contemporary art exhibition, “Ara Oshagan: Disrupted, Borders.” The show follows the AMofA’s blockbuster exhibit, “On the Edge: Los Angeles Art 1970s-1990s from the Joan and Jack Quinn Family Collection,” which received rave reviews and was viewed by thousands of visitors.

“Disrupted, Borders” at AMofA is an expanded version of what was previously exhibited at Stockton University Art Gallery in New Jersey, and the show is being curated by Ryann Casey. “This exhibition connects many of the diasporic and homeland entanglements that have occupied me over the past decade or more, from Los Angeles to Beirut to Artsakh,” stated Oshagan. “The works articulate a certain ‘diasporic liberation,’ as so well stated by Hyperallergic editor Hrag Vartanian in his introductory essay about the exhibit.”

The exhibition combines photography, collage, installation, and film, the last of which runs in the AMofA’s Rose and Gregory A. Kolligian Media Room. “The installation at Stockton was quite impressive in person and we knew this was something we wanted to bring to our Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries,” said Executive Director Jason Sohigian. “Ara’s photography is from the diaspora in Los Angeles and Beirut, as well as Armenia and Artsakh so it connects many historical elements with contemporary issues facing Armenians today.”

More than 55 works are on display including a massive mural from Oshagan’s “Beirut Memory Project,” as well as six large medieval manuscripts printed on fabric and overlain with photographs of people from Shushi, Artsakh. Eighteen Armenian Hmayil prayer scrolls are also reproduced for an installation in the middle of the gallery space. The scrolls are created from the digitized collections of the Library of Congress and other institutions, and they are modified with “interventions” from Oshagan that reflect on travel, family, culture, and politics.

“Visitors will notice that some of the gallery walls are painted red. This color choice was intentional, and it is actually the color of the dye made by the Cochineal insect that is indigenous to the Ararat plain and Arax River Valley,” explained Sohigian. “Vordan Karmir is a familiar color in Armenian rugs, and Oshagan selected it with the curator to accent the exhibit. It adds another layer of meaning to the issues that Ara brings to this show around Armenian identity and culture.”

The mural and manuscript portraits on fabric, which are part of Oshagan’s Shushi series, are some of the largest works that have ever been exhibited in the AMofA galleries. “Ara’s innovative style allowed us to bring these larger-than-life images into the space so this installation offers many surprises from color to scale to medium, and a mix of time and place that will resonate with visitors,” added Sohigian.

By HWM Partners

Photography can be a very rewarding and creative profession, providing you with an outlet to express yourself and the opportunity to make money from your art.

If you’re passionate about taking pictures and are considering starting a career as a photographer, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll share our expert tips on how to become successful in the photography field no matter what level of experience or equipment you have.

Understand the basics of photography and practice regularly

Photography can seem intimidating to those who haven’t tried it before, but the truth is that it’s an incredibly rewarding hobby to pursue. With some basic knowledge of camera settings, lighting, and composition, anyone can take stunning photographs. But like any skill, it requires practice to get the hang of it. The more often you take photos, the more comfortable you’ll become with your camera and the more you’ll learn about what works best for you. By experimenting with different angles, settings, and subjects, you’ll start to develop your own unique style and vision.

Invest in quality equipment and learn how to use it properly

The world of photography can be a fascinating journey for those interested in capturing life moments through a lens. However, to produce high-quality images, it is crucial to invest in quality equipment and learn how to use it effectively. As a photographer, your camera is your tool, and it is what separates you from other hobbyists. 

So, taking the time to research and purchase equipment that will elevate your skills is essential. If you’re looking to invest in quality equipment for your photography business, you can consider the best lenses for Nikon to capture a wide range of subjects with stunning clarity and detail. But don’t stop there! It’s also important to learn how to use your equipment correctly to get the most out of it. With practice and patience, you can master the techniques needed to create stunning images that will be appreciated and admired for years to come.

Develop a unique style that sets you apart from other photographers

Your style should be something that sets you apart and makes your work instantly recognizable. This doesn’t mean you have to completely reinvent the wheel – sometimes the smallest details can make a huge difference. Maybe it’s the way you use light or the way you frame a subject. Maybe you have a unique editing process that gives your photos a distinctive look. Whatever it is, take the time to experiment and find your own style. Not only will it make your work stand out, but it will also help you build a loyal following of clients who appreciate your unique vision.

Focus on learning the fundamentals of lighting, composition, and posing

Photography is an art form that requires a lot of technical skill and creative vision. To truly master it, one must focus on learning the fundamentals of lighting, composition, and posing. Lighting can make or break a photo, and understanding how it works and how to manipulate it can greatly enhance the final image. Composition is also crucial, as it involves the arrangement of subjects within the frame, choosing the right angles and perspectives, and knowing when to follow the rule of thirds. 

Finally, posing plays a vital role in creating a sense of mood, story, and personality within a photograph. It requires both direction and collaboration between the subjects and the photographer, and it can make a huge difference in the overall quality of the final product. By mastering these foundational elements, photographers can take their work to the next level and create truly stunning images.

Take advantage of online platforms

As a photographer, you’re always looking for new ways to showcase your work and reach new clients. Online platforms are the perfect solution. From social media networks like Instagram and Facebook to professional sites like Behance and 500px, there’s no shortage of places to share your work. These platforms offer an incredible opportunity to connect with potential clients who may not have discovered you otherwise. By sharing your best shots, interacting with your audience, and leveraging features like hashtags and search engine optimization, you can take your photography career to the next level.

Build relationships with other professionals in the industry

To be successful in any industry, it is important for professionals to establish relationships with their peers. This is particularly vital for photographers, as collaboration and recommendations play a significant role in expanding their business. By connecting with other photographers, you can benefit from a community of support, learn new skills and techniques, and even gain access to new clients. Relationships with other photographers can also lead to exciting projects and opportunities that you may not have otherwise encountered. Whether you attend networking events, join online groups, or simply reach out to individuals whose work you admire, investing time in building relationships with other photographers can be incredibly beneficial in both your personal and professional life.

Photography is an art form that requires a blend of technical skill and creative expression. With dedication and practice, there’s no limit to where your passions can take you. So don’t be afraid to dive deep into the world of photography – let your creativity be unleashed!

This content is part of the HWM Partnership.

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Dads love cameras, both as a way to capture special moments and just as fun gadgets. If your father wants to go beyond their smartphone, a new camera would certainly be a welcomed gift. The question is, what type does he need and how much should you spend? We found some of the best models with the latest tech, like fast shooting speeds, sharp video and incredible autofocus. Better still, they cover a wide range of prices, and we’ve also recommended some accessories to complement the gear your dear father already owns.

GoPro Hero 11 Black

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

GoPro Hero 11 Black

GoPro didn’t change the design on its latest model, but it has a larger sensor that enables a couple of cool features – Horizon Lock stabilization and Full Frame mode that makes it easier to shoot for, say, TikTok and YouTube at the same time.

GoPro didn’t change the design on its latest model, but it has a larger sensor that enables a couple of cool features – Horizon Lock stabilization and Full Frame mode that makes it easier to shoot for, say, TikTok and YouTube at the same time. Otherwise, the Hero 11 Black offers better video quality than ever (up to 5.3K 60p), Hypersmooth stabilization that’s still the best in the business (by far), battery life that’s improved by 40 percent over the last model, and more. The best action product on the market is not the cheapest – but if your dad is serious about filming his exploits, it’s well worth it.

Canon EOS M50 II and EOS R100

Canon

Canon EOS M50 Mark II

Canon’s EOS M50 II is three years old, but with current deals, it’s the best value camera you can give your dad right now.

Canon’s EOS M50 II is three years old, but with current deals, it’s the best value camera you can give your dad right now. It offers features like a 24.2-megapixel sensor, flip-out screen, tap-to-record and focus, plus 4K video with a 1.5x crop. Its light weight makes it a great travel camera, with the flip-out display allowing your father to shoot selfies or do some vlogging. If you want to pay less and your dad can wait an extra month, though, Canon just released the 24.2-megapixel R100. It has most of the features of the M50 II, but lacks a flip-out display. It’s priced at just $480 for the body only, or $600 with a 16-50mm lens, which makes it the cheapest mirrorless camera on the market. You can pre-order it now, but shipping is set for July.

Canon EOS R50

Canon

Canon EOS R50

Still in the budget category but stepping up a notch is Canon’s 24-megapixel APS-C R50, which will suit your dad whether he does photography or video.

Still in the budget category but stepping up a notch is Canon’s 24-megapixel APS-C R50, which will suit your dad whether he does photography or video. It can shoot bursts at up to 15 fps in electronic shutter mode, and offers 4K 10-bit video at up to 30p with supersampling and no crop. It has a fully articulating display, and unlike other cameras in this price range, an electronic viewfinder. It uses Canon’s Dual Pixel AF with subject recognition mode, and even has a popup flash. The only drawback is the lack of in-body stabilization, but the electronic stabilization is very effective with the price of a slight crop.

Sony Alpha ZV-E10

Sony

Sony Alpha ZV-E10

If your father is a content creator, Sony’s 24.2-megapixel ZV-E10 APS-C camera is a strong budget option.

If your father is a content creator, Sony’s 24.2-megapixel ZV-E10 APS-C camera is a strong budget option. It can shoot sharp, downsampled 4K video at up to 30 fps with a 1.23x crop (or 1080p at 120 fps) and uses Sony’s fantastic AI-powered autofocus system with face and eye detection. It also has a few creator-specific features like Product Showcase and a bokeh switch that makes the background as blurry as possible so your subject stands out. Another nice feature is the high-quality microphone that lets you vlog without the need to buy an external mic. The main drawbacks are the lack of an EVF and rolling shutter.

Nikon Z5

Nikon

Nikon Z 5

Nothing will enhance your father’s photos like the sweet bokeh of a full-frame camera, and the 24-megapixel Nikon Z5 is a stellar option.

Nothing will enhance your father’s photos like the sweet bokeh of a full-frame camera, and the 24-megapixel Nikon Z5 is a stellar deal right now. It’s mostly aimed at photographers, with features like hybrid phase-detect autofocus and Nikon’s excellent color science. And for such a budget option, it has desirable features like five-axis in-body stabilization, dual fast UHS-II card slots, a 3.69 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder and a tilting touch display. Video isn’t a strong point, but it can handle 4K 30p with a crop and 1080p at 60fps.

Canon EOS R8

Canon

Canon EOS R8

Moving up in price, Canon’s EOS R8 is a better-rounded option if your dad likes shooting video as much as taking photos.

Moving up in price, Canon’s EOS R8 is a better-rounded option if your dad likes shooting video as much as taking photos. It has the company’s excellent Dual Pixel AF with subject recognition AI, and can shoot bursts at up to 40 fps. It’s equally strong with video, supporting oversampled 10-bit 4K at up to 60 fps. The R8 also offers a flip-out display, making it great for vloggers. The main drawback is a lack of in-body stabilization.

Panasonic Lumix S5 II and S5 IIX

Panasonic

Panasonic LUMIX S5II

For dads who take their content creation very seriously, check out Panasonic’s full-frame S5 II. It’s the company’s first camera with hybrid phase-detect AF designed to make focus “wobble” and other issues a thing of the past.

For dads who take their content creation very seriously, check out Panasonic’s full-frame S5 II. It’s the company’s first camera with hybrid phase-detect AF designed to make focus “wobble” and other issues a thing of the past. He can shoot sharp 4K 30p video downsampled from the full sensor width, or 4K 60p from an APS-C cropped size, all in 10-bit color. It even offers 5.9K 30p capture, along with RAW 5.9K external output to an Atomos recorder. It also has a flip-out screen for vlogging and updated five-axis in-body stabilization that’s the best in the industry. The main drawback is the slowish burst speeds, but it’s made for video more than photography. If you don’t mind spending an extra $200, the S5 IIX lets you record in the Apple ProRes format directly to an SSD, or in RAW modes (Apple or Blackmagic) via the external HDMI port.

Peak Design Everyday Messenger

Peak Design

Peak Design Everyday Messenger

With its rugged, practical design, Peak Design’s Everyday Messenger Bag is an ideal gift for adventurous or photo-shooting dads.

With its rugged, practical design, Peak Design’s Everyday Messenger Bag is an ideal gift for adventurous or photo-shooting dads. It’s built with a lightweight yet durable 100-percent waterproof recycled 400D shell with the ingenious Flexfold dividers in the main storage area. It also offers a pair of zipped pockets, two elastic side pockets and a compartment big enough for a 13- to 15-inch laptop. I own one myself and find it practical both for work and daily activities, letting me fit a camera, lens and laptop along with my wallet and keys. At $230, it’s not the cheapest bag out there, but your dad won’t have to buy another for a good while.

Magnus VT-4000 tripod

magnus

For dads serious about video, the Magnus VT 4000 is the best budget tripod option. It’s stout enough to handle a mirrorless camera and accessories weighing up to 8.8 pounds, more than the eight-pound weight of the tripod itself. That lack of heft makes it practical for travel, while the fluid head helps you tilt and pan smoothly. Other features include a middle spreader to keep things steady and legs that extend up to 64 inches so you can match the eyeline of your subjects. All of these features come for $199, a relative steal considering the quality.

Joby GorillaPod 3K mini tripod

Joby

Joby JB01507 GorillaPod 3K Kit

The most useful accessories out there for vlogging dads are Joby’s famous mini-tripods, and the best one for the money is the GorillaPod 3K.

The most useful accessories out there for vlogging dads are Joby’s famous mini-tripods, and the best one for the money is the GorillaPod 3K. Attaching your camera couldn’t be easier thanks to the secure clip-in mounting plate with a built-in level. The flexibility also lets you set your camera anywhere to shoot, or even wrap it around a tree or other object. And, of course, you can bend them out for the ideal vlogging angle and steady out your shooting, to boot.

Lexar V60/V90 UHS-II SD cards

Lexar

Camera-loving dads can never get enough memory cards, but they can be a pretty pricey gift. One of the best budget options is Lexar’s V60 UHS-II SD cards, which offer a good balance between speed and value. The 120MB/s write speeds are enough for most H.264/H.265 4K video modes, and you can then transfer files to your computer at up to 250MB/s. If that’s not fast enough, Lexar’s new 1800X V60 II cards offer 270/170MB/s read/write speeds at good prices, and for the best performance, check out their V90 UHS-II cards, which deliver read/write speeds of 300/260MB/s.

If you’re a podcast person and you just happen to love photography tutorials, you’ll love the brand new series of podcasts from The Photography and Video Show. Every Thursday of the month there will be a new session offering the hottest news from the photography and video world, exclusive interviews with industry experts plus a range of tips and tricks that will help you become a better photographer. 

The Photography and Video Show is Europe’s largest show dedicated to photographic equipment, content creation, photo printing, and creating a successful photo or video business. Each year, thousands of people flock to the NEC in Birmingham not only to bag a bargain with a special show process but to take part in masterclasses led by professional photographers, attend talks from successful industry people, and get stuck in with hands-on workshops where you can have a go at flash photography, posing a model or even shooting action sports. 

• Check out thre very best mirrorless cameras to suit a range of budgets and requirements from Canon, Nikon, Sony and more!

Even though the Photography Show is only on for four days a year, visitors will now have access to high-class, quality content all year round thanks to this new series of podcasts which has just launched. They’ll cover everything from exciting new camera launches, to exclusive chats with world-class photographers plus tips and tricks to get the most out of your photography.

Episode one is off to a great start with host David McClelland and DCW’s very own editor James Artaius co-hosting, the pair deep dive into a discussion about the recently launched Nikon Z8 and the Canon EOS R100. 

Royal photographer Hugo Bernand also makes a guest appearance on the show to talk about how it felt to take the first official photos of King Charles III and why it made him fall back in love with medium format cameras, particularly the Fujifilm GFX 100S.

Each podcast will cover a broad range of topics so there really is something for everyone no matter whether you’re a tech nerd and love hearing about the latest technological advances or if like me you love hearing about the story behind their image and the passion that keeps photographers pushing forward, even on the hard days. 

To tune in, head to the Photography and Video Show website on the first Thursday of every month to be one of the first to access the latest highlights news and discussions on everything cameras, photography, and videography. 

Why not also check out the best cameras for video if you’re more into filmmaking than photography