Why Most Landscape Photographers Should Use Zoom Lenses

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Many photographers regard prime lenses as superior to zooms, since they often offer better image quality and more creative versatility via their wider apertures. Nonetheless, when it comes to landscape photography, sometimes, the balance of requirements is a bit different. This excellent video features an experienced professional discussing why zoom lenses are the better choice for most landscape photographers.

Coming to you from Mads Peter Iversen, this great video tutorial discusses why zoom lenses are right for most landscape photographers. I generally agree with Iversen on this topic. Landscape photography rarely needs wide apertures, so you can save a lot of bulk and money by not buying and carrying around f/1.4 options. You can decrease those costs and bulk all the more by opting for something like a 24-240mm superzoom. You might shy away from the thought of a 10x zoom, but they have made tremendous progress in image quality in recent years, and having to only carry one lens when hiking multiple miles can make a significant difference in your comfort. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Iversen.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out “Photographing The World 1: Landscape Photography and Post-Processing with Elia Locardi.”

Savides sculpture “Home is where you find it”

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Sculpture

Bronze sculpture created by Stefan Savides titled, “Home is Where You Find it,” and features a chicken nesting in a bucket alongside a baby chick.

Today’s Photo from Ted Grussing Photography: Rough Seas … Excesses

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Photography

… down to the lake early morning and a launch into some pretty rough water with winds about double what had been forecast, but with wonderful photo opportunities all morning. I got the shot of the Horned Grebe cresting a wave before surfing the face of it … brought back memories of a day that Corky and I returned from the Isthmus at Catalina Island in heavy seas … climb the back and surf the face of the waves … a very long trip back to Newport Beach!

Below is a shot of a Great Egret that scored big time … three (count them) fish in his beak with one attempt. A great breakfast and he took them well ashore before consuming them lest one or more escape whilst he downed them.

Many more images to be worked up, but I felt I scored as well as the egret! Into the weekend for me and as always, the plan is to be back Monday morning. Have a joy filled weekend … keep breathing and smiling …. we are here!

Cheers,

Ted

Therefore, while yet you have
the strength, cherish a desire to do
some useful work in your
little corner of the world, and
have the steadfastness to labor.
For this is the way to the
happy life; with health and
endearing ties, it is the way to the
glorious life.

excerpt from Happiness 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 …

Climate Protesters Smear Paint On ‘Little Dancer’ Sculpture Case At D.C. Museum

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Sculpture

The museum “unequivocally denounces” the demonstration.

Things Professional Photographers Should Invest In

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Where you invest your money as a professional photographer is one of the most important decisions you can make, and as such, it is something worth of careful consideration to ensure you are not wasting your money on unneeded gimmicks. This helpful video tutorial features an experienced pro sharing what he invests in to ensure he can do his job easily and deliver the best possible images.

Coming to you from Scott Choucino of Tin House Studio, this great video tutorial discusses some of the best places for professional photographers to reinvest money in their business. One where I definitely agree with Choucino is lenses over camera bodies. That is not to say that you should not have a capable camera that will cover all your needs in your hands, but most pros prioritize glass over the latest and greatest bodies, as it generally has a larger impact on image quality. This is particularly true in a time when most modern cameras are capable of producing top-notch image quality, so long as they are paired with the right lens. Given the choice between an older camera with a great lens or a new camera with a mediocre lens, I would choose the former 10 times out of 10.

Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.

Prairie Arts Center receives sculpture for outdoor garden

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Sculpture

A grant from Mid Nebraska Community Foundation offered the Prairie Arts Center a chance to purchase a new sculpture for its outdoor sculpture garden.

Rare Nighttime Photography of Very Large Array Featured in Exhibition at Warehouse 1-10

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Photography

A new exhibition series celebrating New Mexico’s dark skies will include rare nighttime photography of the National Science Foundation’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) by astrophotographer Bettymaya Foott. Dark Sky Land Exhibition Series No. 1 / DARK – The Astronomers, which features images from 20 photographers and artifacts from the Astronomical Lyceum Collection, opens on May 6th at Warehouse 1-10 in Magdalena.

Foott was hired by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in early 2022 to capture the VLA under dark, pristine skies through multiple seasons—a sight few people ever see, and even fewer are able to photograph. To protect visitors, staff, the site, and the science—which, while not directly impacted by light pollution, is negatively impacted by radio frequency interference from high-tech devices like digital cameras—the VLA has strict protocols regarding photography at all times, and it isn’t open to the public at night. Foott’s sanctioned shoots further required months of planning and coordination with the VLA’s engineers and operators. This makes the image series borne of the shoot extremely rare.

Combined with uncertain and rapidly changing weather, capturing professional photography of the VLA— and particularly under dark skies—can be more difficult than it might appear, as Foott learned first-hand when she caught a lightning storm rolling up behind the VLA on the Plains of San Agustin during an approved shoot last year.

“I was thrilled to work with NRAO to capture the VLA as it is rarely seen, with a pristine night sky above,” said Foott. “I was a bit sad when I saw the clouds rolling in after driving six hours to capture the stars, but was happily surprised when the lightning storm started. It was at a safe distance away from our location, so we were safe to click away and capture the magic of that moment.”

Foott’s photo is presented alongside the work of 19 additional astrophotographers who have captured the wonder of the night sky in New Mexico. Also the title of a night sky environmental movement in New Mexico, the Dark Sky Land exhibit celebrates the community’s effort to protect a 100-mile astronomical corridor— which starts on HWY 60 at Magdalena Ridge Observatory and passes through the VLA on its way westward under one of the darkest skies remaining in North America—from the effects of light pollution on astronomy, human health, wildlife, and the environment. Foott, who also serves as the Director of Engagement for the International Dark-Sky Association, engages in similar efforts globally on a daily basis.

“Local dark sky efforts are incredibly important to connect people with the magic of a light pollution-free sky,” said Foott. “We have seen that local efforts to protect the night are the most effective and powerful way to reduce light pollution and build local coalitions of dark sky advocates. We are so grateful for the efforts of the Dark Sky Land team to raise awareness about the benefits of dark sky conservation.”

Presented in collaboration with Magnetic Laboratorium, Dark Sky Land is co-curated by Catherine De Maria and Marisela La Grave, and runs through June 17th. The exhibit is open for viewing May 6 through 7 from 11am to 4pm, or by appointment at 575-517-0669. A full list of featured photographers and additional information is available on the Warehouse 1-10 website at https://www.warehouse110.com. For more information about the Dark Sky Land movement, visit https://darkskylandfilm.com/.

Foott’s full series of photos, shot in collaboration with NRAO and VLA staff, is being released throughout 2023 at https://public.nrao.edu and on NRAO’s social media.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a major facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Media Contact:

Amy C. Oliver
Public Information & News Manager
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
+1 434-242-9584
aoliver@nrao.edu

Hera’s Poetic Portraits of Childlike Scavengers Foster Therapeutic Interactions Between Artist and Self

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Art World News

“The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth,” acrylic paint, spray paint, charcoal on canvas, 39.4 x 39.4 inches. All images © Hera, courtesy of Corey Helford Gallery, shared with permission

German-Pakistani artist Jasmin Siddiqui, who works as Hera and was half of the street art duo known as Herakut, brings a new series of scavengers to Corey Helford Gallery this month in tHERApy room 2. The solo show extends a body of work Hera presented in 2021, similarly depicting a large-eyed young woman donning the heads of wildlife. Defined by the artist’s graffiti style with drips, splatters, and sweeping spray-painted marks, the portraits connect adolescent wonder, innocence, and naivety to the broader human condition. “Each note I write and share with the world is actually a message addressed to that inner child, the vulnerable part that needs that extra encouragement, that talk of hope, of magic, and a little bit of escapism,” she says.

Having first picked up a can of spray paint 23 years ago, Hera considers these works a reflection of her evolution as an artist and person, saying:

If you will, you could see each piece as a therapy session, where the therapist would be Hera wielding brush and spray paint, and the patient would be Jasmin, the woman underneath the animal metaphor hats and masks. Describing my artwork that way makes it seem as if I had never stopped working in a duo.

tHERApy room 2, which also contains the artist’s new superhero sculptures, is on view through May 27 in Los Angeles. You can find more on Instagram.

A large-eyed young woman looks at the viewer and wears an elephant headdress

“A Brain That Rarely Forgets Needs a Heart That Readily Forgives,” acrylic paint, spray paint, charcoal on canvas, 39.5 x 31.5 inches

A large-eyed young woman looks at the viewer and wears a crow headdress with rats climbing on her body

“There’s Great Kinship Among the Outcasts,” acrylic paint, spray paint, charcoal on canvas, 31.5 x 31.5 inches

A close up view of a large-eyed young woman who looks at the viewer and wears a deer headdress

Detail of “The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth,” acrylic paint, spray paint, charcoal on canvas, 39.4 x 39.4 inches

A large-eyed young woman looks at the viewer and wears a fox headdress, a book in her lap

“Reading Together Was Like Sharing an Imaginary Friend,” acrylic paint, spray paint, charcoal on canvas, 39.5 x 31.5 inches

Two images, on the left a painting of a woman wearing a deer headdress facing a man with a similar buck garment, who is cradling a raccoon baby. On the right is a woman facing the viewer wearing a green hat with several tiny deer on her head

Left: “Never Be King Just for Yourself,” acrylic paint, spray paint, charcoal on canvas, 47.2 x 31.5 inches. Right: “Thoughts Are Free,” acrylic paint, spray paint, charcoal on canvas, 63 x 47.25 inches

A large-eyed woman with wings balances on a pedestal facing two other creatures

“Year After Year Magic and Nature Conferred About the Uncertain Future of Humans and Always Ended Up Granting Them More Time,” acrylic paint, spray paint, charcoal on canvas, 39.25 x 39.25 inches

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 Hera’s Poetic Portraits of Childlike Scavengers Foster Therapeutic Interactions Between Artist and Self appeared first on Colossal.

Photographer Takes a Person’s Portrait in all 50 States in a Single Day

Apr 27, 2023 By Admin in Photography

A person photographed in every state — Bre in Utah

A photographer has achieved the seemingly impossible task of photographing a person in all 50 American states in a single day.

British photographer Tim Dunk has never even set foot on American soil, let alone visited all 50 states in a day; so how did he do it?

“In a world-first, I remotely photographed one person in every U.S. state — in a single day,” he tells PetaPixel. “From the U.K., using the magic of the Shutter App.”

A portrait from every state — Jonathan in Alabama

Dunk tapped into technology that turns the subject’s smartphone into the photographer’s camera. Dunk used his computer in the U.K. to shoot photos on the sitter’s smartphone, instructing them how to pose and where to point the lens.

“Every participant was a friend of a friend or a friend of a friend of a friend,” Dunk explains.

“In a gloriously frantic 13-hour period, I connected with these people, spent three to 10 minutes with them, and recorded our connection with a photograph,” he says.

A portrait in every state — Abby in Texas

“As someone who’s never set foot on American soil, I’m completely in awe of the fact I was able to spend time with someone in every single state in a day, and I’m so very grateful to all the wonderful people who gave me a few minutes of their Sunday.”

Dunk’s photos are beautifully crafted utilizing light in creative and aesthetically-pleasing ways, the fact he wasn’t physically present makes it all the more impressive.

“I wish I’d had more time with each person and time to make notes on them all, but it was real seat-of-the-pants stuff just trying to get every state booked in while also remotely photographing 53 people,” he says.

“Special thanks have to go to Hannah in Maine who stepped in as zero-notice cover for the one person who wasn’t contactable at the time of their session,” he continues.

“Also Zachary in New Hampshire, which was the one place I just couldn’t seem to find anyone for, all through the day until 23:30, when he popped into my inbox agreeing to take part.”

Dunk says that it was a great exercise in demonstrating the power and possibilities of remote photography.

“What an absolute ride it all was,” he adds. “Not in a hurry to do anything similar again, the logistics side of things was more than a little stressful!”