AMSTERDAM, July 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Polaroid and Magnum Photos launch Open Call to discover the next generation of photographic storytellers with renowned Magnum photographers Enri Canaj, Jim Goldberg, and Newsha Tavakolian

Polaroid and Magnum, two icons of photography, announce their first ever partnership. Along with renowned Magnum photographers, they are celebrating the storytelling power of black-and-white photography and the new level of craft, detail and mastery made possible by the Polaroid I-2 Instant Camera. Their combined expertise—including tips on overcoming perfection—will be shared with photographers worldwide via an open call.  

Inspiring new narratives in instant photography

The partnership features the photographic approach and craft of renowned Magnum photographers known for their deep storytelling and commitment to capturing real life in all its complexity: Jim Goldberg, Newsha Tavakolian and Enri Canaj. Their works aim to inspire the next wave of instant photography storytellers. “Photographing with the Polaroid I-2 is a unique experience. Its slow process requires time to interact with the subject, light, and angle before pressing the button, making it special to me”, says Enri Canaj who explores the cultural, societal and economic shift in his “Albania Homecoming” project. Newsha Tavakolian captures a small region and the people unknown to most, in her “Mount Damavand community” project, while “Augusta community” by Jim Goldberg uncovers the hidden spirit of America. 

“We are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Polaroid. By combining the unique visions of Magnum photographers with the tangible and meaningful medium of Polaroid photography, we are ready to explore new realms of creativity and spontaneity. This collaboration promises to redefine the boundaries of instant photography, bringing unparalleled authenticity and immediacy to our storytelling, and to more photographers out there.” Marine Merindol, Magnum Photos COO

Imperfectionism: Reject perfectionism, pursue mastery instead

This movement seeks to reconnect us with our subjects, and lives, through instant photography. “There’s no such thing as a perfect life, nor a perfect image,” says Newsha Tavakolian “Analog and instant photography evoke that feeling because they can’t be photoshopped or filtered.” Imperfectionism is an obsession with the craft of instant photography. It champions the idea that real experiences, mistakes, and authenticity are more valuable than polished perfection. This movement is what inspired the brand to launch the Polaroid I-2 Instant Camera – the first-ever instant camera with built-in manual controls. 

“Beauty isn’t just in pretty moments; it’s in the moments you can’t plan for, in mistakes, in our everyday. It’s everywhere. That’s what I truly believe.” Jim Goldberg, Magnum photographer 

Open Call Details  

The open call invites all photographers worldwide to submit their photography portfolio and an idea for an empathy inspired story via polaroid.com until August 12, 2024. Winners will be announced on August 26.

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Love it or hate it, AI is here and being used to do everything, from improving social media postings, to writing grant proposals and creating images that didn’t really exist. But what if we used it for good? I was at a recent photography coffee and chat session and the topic came up with image review via AI. I decided to give it a try.

Using Chat GPT for image review

I jumped on Chat GPT. Other programs are available, but not all will review portraits. I asked Chat GPT, “Give a review of this image, what could be done to improve it?” I then uploaded a recent creative portrait. See below.

Chat GPT response

This image has a compelling and evocative style that could indeed be worthy of a photographic competition. Here’s a detailed review:

Strengths

1. Atmosphere and Mood: The image effectively creates a dark, mystical, and somewhat eerie atmosphere. The deep blue tones, combined with the dramatic lighting, enhance the mood.
2. Composition: The placement of the subject and the skull creates a strong visual triangle, guiding the viewer’s eye throughout the image.
3. Costume and Props: The elaborate headdress and the skull are striking and add a lot of visual interest. They contribute to the image’s theme and narrative.
4. Makeup and Styling: The makeup, particularly the dark eye mask and lips, complements the overall gothic and mysterious vibe.
5. Lighting: The lighting is well-executed, highlighting the subject’s face and the skull, while keeping the background darker, which adds depth.

Areas for improvement

1. Detail and Sharpness: Ensuring that the details, especially on the face and headdress, are sharply in focus can enhance the image’s impact. A touch more sharpness could make the textures more vivid.
2. Contrast and Highlights: Adding a bit more contrast and highlights might give the image more depth and make certain elements pop. This can be achieved in post-processing.
3. Background: The background is suitably dark, but it could benefit from a slight gradient or texture to add more depth and interest without detracting from the main subject.
4. Pose and Expression: While the pose is strong, experimenting with slightly different expressions or angles might add even more intrigue. Perhaps a more intense or enigmatic expression could enhance the mood.
5. Color Balance: The overall blue tint is effective, but balancing it with subtle complementary colors in the shadows or highlights could add more complexity and richness to the image.

Conclusion

The image is visually striking and has many elements that make it stand out. With a few adjustments in post-processing and perhaps slight variations in posing and expression, it could be a very strong contender in a photographic competition. The current elements of mood, costume, and composition are excellent foundations to build upon.

So, I took these suggestions on board and did a High Pass Filter on the headdress, skull and face. I did a dodge and burn and increased contrast. Next, I added a texture to the background as well as a gradient. In regards to the color balance, I did a LUTs (teal-orange plus contrast) plus played with the Channel Mixer and Color balance to create a subtle change of the colors and add more blue and yellow in the highlights.

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Review and critique

I then uploaded the new edit to Chat GPT and asked if it had improved. Here’s the newly updated response I got.

The adjustments in this new version have indeed improved the overall impact of the image. Here’s a review of the updated version:

Improvements

1. Detail and Sharpness: The details, particularly in the headdress and the subject’s face, appear sharper and more defined, enhancing the overall clarity and focus of the image.
2. Contrast and Highlights: The increased contrast and highlights give the image more depth. The skull and the headdress now pop more, drawing the viewer’s attention effectively.
3. Color Balance: The subtle adjustments in color balance, with a slight enhancement in the gold elements, add richness and complexity to the image without overwhelming the overall blue tone.
4. Background Texture: The background now has a slight texture or gradient that adds depth and visual interest without detracting from the main subject.
5. Lighting: The lighting adjustments help in better defining the subject’s features and the props, creating a more dramatic and engaging composition.

Additional suggestions

1. Pose and Expression: While the current pose and expression are strong, experimenting with slight variations could still be beneficial. For example, a more intense or focused gaze might add even more to the mysterious and gothic feel.
2. Skin Tone: The blue tint on the subject’s skin is effective, but ensuring it is consistent and natural-looking (within the stylized context) can improve the overall cohesion.
3. Depth of Field: Slightly blurring the background could enhance the focus on the subject and the skull, creating a stronger separation between the subject and the background.
4. Post-Processing: Additional post-processing to subtly enhance shadows and mid-tones could bring out even more detail and texture in the costume and props.

Conclusion

The adjustments made in this version significantly enhance the image’s overall impact, making it even more suitable for a photographic competition. The improvements in sharpness, contrast, and color balance have strengthened the visual narrative, making the image more compelling and visually striking. With a few more tweaks, it could be an exceptional entry.

So I took these suggestions onboard as well and a blur on the background (Neural filter and Gaussian blur), added two photo filters to even out the skin tone and removed some of the blue tints on skin and skull. I also added a vignette. Then again, I uploaded it to Chat GPT for review.

Final review

The latest version of the image introduces even more dramatic lighting and contrast, further enhancing its impact. Here’s a detailed review:

Improvements

1. Dramatic Lighting: The lighting in this version is much more dramatic, creating a stark contrast between the subject and the background. This adds a lot of depth and makes the subject stand out significantly.
2. Focus and Sharpness: The details, especially in the subject’s face, headdress, and skull, are very sharp, which draws the viewer’s eye and highlights the intricate elements.
3. Enhanced Mood: The increased contrast and the darker overall tone contribute to an even more intense and mysterious atmosphere. This amplifies the gothic and eerie vibe of the image.
4. Background Separation: The darker background with subtle gradients effectively separates the subject from the background, making the subject the clear focal point.
5. Color Contrast: The use of darker tones against the brighter highlights on the face and skull creates a striking visual effect, making the important elements pop.

Additional Suggestions

1. Balance of Shadows: While the dramatic shadows are effective, ensuring that some details in the darker areas are still visible can maintain the image’s richness and prevent it from looking too underexposed.
2. Skin Tone Consistency: Ensure the skin tones are consistent and natural-looking within the stylized context. The blue tint is effective, but slight adjustments might be needed to keep it from looking too uniform.
3. Highlight Control: Ensure that the highlights, especially on the face and the skull, are not too harsh, to avoid any loss of detail in those areas.
4. Expression and Pose Variations: As mentioned before, experimenting with slight variations in the subject’s expression or pose could add even more intrigue and variety.

Conclusion

This version significantly enhances the image’s dramatic and atmospheric qualities, making it a very strong contender for photographic competition. The sharpness, contrast, and overall mood are compelling and visually arresting. With some minor adjustments to maintain detail in the shadows and control highlights, this image can be exceptionally impactful and memorable.

Final thoughts

While I could have gone back and forth a few times, I left it here. The free version did not give me any more opportunities until the following day. It was certainly interesting getting the perspective of a AI chat program in regards to my own photos. While I think it did make the image stronger than my original, I’m not sure if number three is just a touch too much? What do you think? Which is better — image 1, 2 or 3?

Now, I am not planning to enter this image in a competition. But if I did, would this be considered cheating, or no different than asking a trusted photography friend or mentor for a review and critique? I’m curious to hear your feedback on the subject. Likewise, have you tried this as well?

The BC SPCA invites the public to participate in its 16th annual Wildlife-in- Focus photography contest running July 2 through 22.

Amateur photographers 14 years and older can submit their awe-inspiring images of owls, eagles, foxes, bees, whales, and other amazing creatures until July 22.

 You can enter as many times as you like and there is no entry fee.

“Wildlife-in-Focus celebrates the incredible variety of wild animals who call B.C. home,” says BC SPCA wild animal welfare specialist Nadia Xenakis. “It is also a great opportunity for British Columbians to showcase engaging with natural spaces in an ethical and responsible way, all while helping wild animals at Wild ARC.”

Previous contest entries have been featured in the BC SPCA’s AnimalSense and Bark! magazines, BC SPCA educational materials, local newspapers, websites, and social media. Prizes will be awarded for the top three photos, as determined by the judges, in each of two categories: Wild Settings and Backyard Habitats.

There is also a donate-to-vote option for a People’s Choice Award – the 12 photos with the most votes and the top three from each category will be featured in a limited-edition Wildlife-in-Focus pack of greeting cards and have the chance to be featured on a limited edition tote bag – available for purchase on shop.spca.bc.ca after the contest closes.

In 2023, Wildlife-in-Focus raised more than $10,000 for the specialized diets, treatment, blankets, and other supplies necessary to support the rehabilitation of wild animals at BC SPCA’s Wild ARC. Over 2,000 injured and orphaned wild animals are cared for at Wild ARC each year.

All wildlife photos submitted to the contest must be taken within B.C. and submitted digitally. “Wildlife” includes free-living birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects, but not exotic, feral, or domestic animals, or wildlife in zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, or rehabilitation facilities.

For more information on the contest, visit spca.bc.ca/wildlife-in-focus.

Lead image: Last year’s backyard habitats winner; two raccoon kits climbing tree. Photo by Andrew Harnden

BC SPCA

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...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Iowa...
Missouri...Illinois...

Mississippi River at Keokuk LD19 affecting Lee, Clark and Hancock
Counties.

Mississippi River at Gregory Landing affecting Hancock and Clark
Counties.

Mississippi River at Le Claire LD14 affecting Rock Island and
Scott Counties.

Mississippi River at Bellevue LD12 affecting Carroll, Jo Daviess,
Jackson and Clinton Counties.

Mississippi River at Fulton LD13 affecting Carroll, Clinton and
Whiteside Counties.

Mississippi River at Ill. City LD16 affecting Rock Island and
Muscatine Counties.

Mississippi River at Muscatine affecting Rock Island, Louisa,
Muscatine and Mercer Counties.

Mississippi River at Keithsburg affecting Henderson, Des Moines,
Louisa and Mercer Counties.

Mississippi River at New Boston LD17 affecting Louisa and Mercer
Counties.

Mississippi River at Camanche affecting Scott, Clinton, Whiteside
and Rock Island Counties.

Mississippi River at Dubuque LD11 affecting Jo Daviess and
Dubuque Counties.

Mississippi River at Rock Island LD15 affecting Scott, Muscatine
and Rock Island Counties.

Mississippi River at Burlington affecting Lee, Des Moines,
Henderson and Hancock Counties.

Mississippi River at Gladstone LD18 affecting Des Moines and
Henderson Counties.

Mississippi River at Dubuque affecting Jo Daviess, Jackson and
Dubuque Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.

Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.

The next statement will be issued by Tuesday evening at 1000 PM CDT.

&&

...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...

* WHAT...Major flooding is occurring.

* WHERE...Mississippi River at Bellevue LD12.

* WHEN...Until further notice.

* IMPACTS...At 20.0 feet, Water affects the railroad tracks south of
Bellevue. Water is also into the Municipal Boat Ramp parking lot.
Water affects the riverfront parking lot in Savanna.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:30 PM CDT Monday the stage was 20.0 feet.
- Recent Activity...The river is just coming off the crest.
- Forecast...The river is expected to fall to 17.4 feet Monday,
July 15.
- Flood stage is 17.0 feet.


&&

Benjamin Fredrickson’s latest photo book is a celebration of atomic wedgies and the wedgie subculture

Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant haldi ceremony: Photographer Joseph Radhik posted an insider picture of how fun the haldi was.

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant are all set to tie the knot on July 12. Before their big day, the couple is celebrating various ceremonies such as mameru, sangeet, graha pooja and more. On Monday, they marked their haldi ceremony in extravagant outfits. Amid the celebrations, photographer Joseph Radhik posted an insider picture of how fun the haldi was. For the unversed, during haldi, a mix of turmeric, water and oil is applied to the bride and the groom.

“Looks like we photographed a peaceful haldi event last night,” wrote Radhik as he shared a picture of his cameras. The cameras can be seen covered in haldi stains. He also shared that the team had to send the cameras to a “spa” so they could get clean. (Also Read: Mumbai photographer who captured Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding sums up ‘surreal week’ in one sentence)

Take a look at his post here:

The wedding celebrations of the two began with mameru ceremony. This was followed by a sangeet which looked no less than a blockbuster film. The sangeet also saw a performance from pop sensation Justin Bieber. Actors such as Salman Khan, Sara Ali Khan and Ananya Panday, Alia Bhatt Ranbir Kapoor, Social media influencer Orry, aka Orhan Awatramani were all seen enjoying at the party.

Just a few days ago, Radhika Merchant’s parents, Shaila and Viren Merchant, held a traditional Graha Shanti Pooja to bless their daughter ahead of her wedding. Radhika looked stunning in a classic white saree and a contrasting pink blouse. She finished her ensemble with diamond jewellery and a beautiful gajra in her hair. (Also Read: Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant big fat Indian wedding: A look at the timeline of events)

The three-day celebrations begin with the Shubh Vivaah (wedding), followed by the Shubh Aashirwad (blessing ceremony) on July 13, and the Mangal Utsav (wedding reception) on July 14.

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Now in its 11th year, the California Academy of Sciences’ renowned BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition celebrates some of the world’s best photographers and the year’s most striking images. Judged by an esteemed panel of nature and conservation photography experts, chaired by wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas, the competition’s winning images and finalists highlight Earth’s biodiversity and illustrate the many threats that our planet faces. Each photo, in its own way, inspires viewers to value and protect the remarkable diversity of life on Earth. Below, we present the winners and some of bioGraphic‘s personal favorites from this year’s competition.

March of the Spider Orchids by Georgina Steytler

Against the moody, rain-soaked backdrop of Western Australia’s southern coast, flowers from a lone white spider orchid (likely of the Caladenia longicauda species complex) emerge from the brush and unfurl their spindly arms. Photographer Georgina Steytler used a combination of visual techniques to capture the eerie essence of these plants, whose flowering bodies and scents resemble those of their would-be pollinators. Several Caladenia orchid species are what scientists call “sexually deceptive,” producing so-called pseudopheromones that mimic the scent of female wasps. Paired with the orchid’s unique color and shape, these adaptations lure male wasps from afar and inspire them to try to copulate with the flower, covering the wasps with pollen in the process.

Although Caladenia orchids tend to exist as loners, rather than in clonal colonies, spider orchids thrive in the biodiverse forests of Western Australia. Depending on which taxonomist you ask, the spider orchid genus includes a staggering number of plants endemic to the region: Scientists estimate there are roughly 380 species of Caladenia orchids, with more than 185 in Western Australia alone. Because so many spider orchids are found only along the state’s southern coast, local government officials have promoted recovery plans to protect critically endangered species (such as Caladenia elegans) and recover their populations in regions devastated by invasive weeds and animals, wildfire and human activity.

A Moment in the Sun by Kathleen Borshanian

Perched on the cliffs of the Pribilof Islands, this adorable Arctic blue fox (Vulpes lagopus pribilofensis) appears completely unbothered and tranquil as it basks in the sunlight—a rare occurrence for an archipelago often shrouded in a thick blanket of fog. Arctic blue foxes are endemic to these remote islands, which emerge from the Bering Sea some 750 miles west of Anchorage. Despite their seclusion and the near-complete lack of trees, the Pribilof Islands are surprisingly biodiverse, dubbed the “Galapagos of the North” by some biologists. The archipelago is the product of repeated volcanic eruptions that began hundreds of thousands of years ago, and today it is home to northern fur seal colonies, millions of seabird nests and very few humans. Yet mammals like the Arctic blue fox have adapted over generations to the unique, treeless environment: Below the pictured fox appears to be the entrance of a sprawling maze of tunnels that form an interconnected, underground nest for these secretive mammals. Photographer Kathleen Borshanian says the dens are practically ubiquitous on the Pribilof Islands, winding their way within a few feet of the island’s sheer 1,000-foot-high basaltic cliffs, and they serve as a crucial refuge from predators and a safe haven for rearing the next generation of fox pups.

The Forest of the Monarchs by Jaime Rojo

Upon first glance, this scene looks little more than a sunlit patch of leafy trees. But those clumps hanging off branches and blanketing tree trunks are actually millions of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), huddled for warmth in one of Mexico’s famous overwintering sites. Monarchs are the only butterfly species known to make a two-way migration to avoid North America’s freezing wintertime temperatures, traveling annually from summer breeding grounds down to the warm, humid climates of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains—a journey that can stretch as far as 3,000 miles. To this day, researchers have yet to understand what triggers the monarch butterfly’s epic migration. Yet every year, between October and March, monarchs form colonies at the exact same overwintering sites located in a small stretch of Mexico’s temperate, high-altitude forests. Tens of thousands of butterflies will cluster on oyamel fir trees (Abies religiosa), cozying up to generate warmth and conserve energy as temperatures dip.

Photographer Jaime Rojo captured this sunset scene on Michoacan’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and annual overwintering grounds for the iconic butterflies. Though these orange-and-white beauties are perhaps the most familiar butterfly species in the world, monarchs nevertheless face existential challenges from encroaching agriculture, climate change and deforestation of their overwintering grounds. Rojo’s image serves as both a stunning representation of the monarch’s epic migration, and a visual reminder of the close symbiosis between these butterflies and the oyamel firs they rely on to survive.

Hopeless by Alvaro Herrero

This haunting image of an entangled humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) captures the grim reality these magnificent marine mammals face in oceans around the world. Decades of aggressive whale hunting, vessel strikes, disease and entanglement in fishing gear have collectively killed thousands of humpback whales and kept many cetacean populations worldwide on the brink of extinction. Photographer Alvaro Herrero says he captured the fatal entanglement of this juvenile humpback whale in order to paint an unflinching image of the life-threatening conditions whales face along their migrations—and also to illustrate the slow, painful death of our planet at the hands of human selfishness and inactivity.

Despite the immense challenges, scientists worldwide are fighting to protect these iconic species and create safer passages for whales migrating from their tropical wintering grounds to feeding areas in the North. After widespread commercial whaling ceased in the mid-1900s, international efforts to prevent humpback extinction have brought their populations from fewer than 5,000 individuals to more than 84,000 as of 2018. Today, organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are closely monitoring their populations and regional distribution, demarcating specific marine protected areas around humpback feeding grounds, and initiating new conservation efforts focused on reducing entanglements and vessel strikes—two of the greatest threats to these cetaceans today.

Tadpole Migration by Shane Gross

Every summer day in the lakes of Vancouver Island, hundreds of paperclip-sized western toad tadpoles (Anaxyrus boreas) wriggle their way from the relatively safe depths of the water into sunlit shallows, where algae thrives and dinner awaits. Veteran underwater photographer Shane Gross had heard of the tadpoles’ great migration and spent a summer morning exploring a lake in the northern part of the island, only to learn from a local that the tadpoles tended to surface en masse in the late afternoon. Returning to the lake some hours later, camera in tow, Gross was amazed by the numbers of tadpoles he witnessed dancing in the water, their quick movements revealing little flecks of gold on their otherwise opaque black skin. Using a tilted fisheye lens, Gross was able to capture both the tadpoles’ rapturous journey to find sustenance and glimpses of the lake’s thicket of lily pads and towering forest-covered mountains. These tadpoles seem to have found strength in numbers, swarming past attacks from water bugs and leeches to continue nibbling on food—and any other appealing organisms that passed by.

Underwater Harmony and Chaos by Franco Banfi

The Ancient Greek word for “foolish” is moros, which is both a tongue-in-cheek epithet and the unfortunate namesake for the northern gannet (Morus bassanus). This Atlantic-dwelling gannet subspecies lives up to its name in more ways than one: Taxonomists apparently chose the genus name because of the gannet’s fearlessness when approached on their nesting grounds. Yet these birds are perhaps more famous for their dramatic hunting behavior, which sees flocks of gannets diving like vertical torpedoes from dozens of feet above the water’s surface. With their bills outstretched and wings folded tightly against their bodies, northern gannets can reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour and depths up to 70 feet as they jab into ocean waters to poach their prey. Following a cluster of fishing vessels off the coast of Scotland’s Shetland Islands, photographer Franco Banfi tracked an active colony of northern gannets and their feeding route, diving into the dark water to visually capture the chaos, beauty and unexpected harmony of the gannet’s daily fight for food and survival.

Good Fire by Maddy Rifka

“When you hear the words ‘wildfire’ and ‘California,’ many think first of ‘devastation,’” said photographer Maddy Rifka, referring to the spate of deadly, massive wildfires that have ripped through western North America in recent years. Yet for centuries, tribal communities across the West recognized fire as a force for good. Indigenous peoples of California historically tended the land by igniting frequent, low-intensity burns, mimicking natural disturbances caused by lightning. And where fire went, life followed. By clearing fire-prone brush that might otherwise take over, these regular burns encouraged beneficial growth patterns for native plants and fruits, simultaneously maintaining biodiversity and protecting local water supplies. Unfortunately, an era of federally enforced wildfire suppression and forest mismanagement primed Western forests for the kind of severe, mass-scale burns we experience today, thus maligning fire as unequivocally “bad.”

Only in recent years have federal officials and Western scientists begun to embrace fire as a crucial component of forest management and a ritual interlocking land stewardship with Indigenous cultural practice. Steven Saiz, pictured, is a Hoopa Valley tribal member and one of many Native Americans fighting to reclaim their ancestral right to burn on California lands. In this particular blaze, Saiz pours a steady stream of fuel onto a patch of brush, coaxing the flames to spread through the dense undergrowth surrounding a Yurok Tribe elder’s home. Here, Saiz knows that this intentional form of “destruction” will eventually encourage new life on the Yurok Reservation, and protect lives from the deadly, out-of-control blazes that have too often torn apart mismanaged forestlands. To Saiz, this burn is as much a tool of ecological regeneration as it is a form of elder care.

Beauty of the Desert by Hema Palan

Even though the Schokari sand racer (Psammophis schokari) is known for its whip-fast speed and agility, photographer Hema Palan managed to capture a tranquil nighttime shot of a lone sand racer moving through the branches of a shrub in India’s Thar Desert. As a diurnal ambush predator, this reptile was likely settling in for a night of rest before emerging in the daylight to hunt lizards, rodents and other prey. Their pursuits can reach speeds of up to nine miles per hour, earning the sand racer its title as one of the Middle East and South Asia’s fastest snakes.

This reptile faces few predators in the Thar Desert, yet increasing human presence, mining development and commercial farming have collectively threatened the region’s fragile ecosystems. With a population density of around 215 people per square mile, the Thar Desert is the most densely populated desert in the world, and also one of the world’s smallest. Despite its size and inhospitable, arid climate, the desert is itself a refuge for a surprisingly diverse variety of endemic and endangered species, including the globally threatened great Indian bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and the phog shrub (Calligonum polygonoides) this sand racer has taken shelter in. Fortunately, efforts to protect these and other desert dwellers have resulted in conservation practices designed to mitigate the effects of extensive livestock grazing, as well as the creation of several sanctuaries and a national park.

In Celebration by Geo Cloete

Wading in the tidepools off of South Africa’s Cape Peninsula, photographer Geo Cloete leveraged his vision and creative use of a fisheye lens to capture the stunning symbiosis between the ocean’s crashing waves and sea anemones: Only when there is a chance of feeding do these colorful cnidarians bloom, extending their nimble tentacles outward to ensnare plankton, crabs and tiny fish. The vehicle for their prey? The breaking waves themselves, which sweep over tidepools and their inhabitants during high tide, delivering nutrients and other microscopic organisms to the pool’s intricate food web.

Not much is known about sea anemones endemic to South Africa’s intertidal zone, perhaps in part because these polyps retract their tentacles into tight bulbs during low tide and when exposed to air, sunlight and predators. In many regions of the world, sea anemones gather in thick colony-like blankets—much like the swath illustrated by Cloete’s image—latching onto rocky outcrops in large numbers. Some group-living species from the shores of California, for example, cluster and reproduce asexually to form a quasi “army” of genetically identical anemone clones, attacking neighboring colonies as scouting polyps settle on nearby coral skeletons and rocks in search of empty space to occupy.

Northern Ghosts by Peter Mather

Despite being one of the coldest and most barren places on Earth, the North American Arctic is surprisingly biodiverse. The region is famous for cold-adapted and iconic wildlife like caribou, bears and wolves, yet native Northerners know these animals to be extremely elusive, leaving behind few traces of life beyond tracks in the snow and howls in the night. To photographer Peter Mather, finding the Arctic’s transient wildlife feels like trying to pin down a ghost or apparition, which ultimately became the theme uniting Mather’s artfully rendered photo story. By placing motion-activated camera traps in the field and often leaving them over the span of months or years, Mather captured five rare visuals of wildlife in the ice-covered expanses of the Arctic, including this caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) carcass pictured on Alaska’s North Slope. He then used both flash photography and a long exposure to illustrate the fleeting presence of an Arctic fox that seemed to be as curious about the carcass as he was.

Mather’s theme of transition, ephemeral wildlife and barren landscapes perhaps subconsciously addresses the other harsh reality of life in the Arctic: Even as extreme conditions and low accessibility have kept human impact on Arctic ecosystems low, climate change and increasing demand for Arctic resources are placing unprecedented pressure on the organisms that live there. Without adequate conservation efforts and a dramatic slowing of climate change, these animals might become the very apparitions of the Arctic that the photographer depicts.

Stardust Forest by Kazuaki Koseki

Would you believe your eyes if you saw ten million fireflies before you, dancing in the skies and lighting up the forest? Photographer Kazuaki Koseki would, having spent the past seven years studying the ecology and photographing the beautiful parabolic trajectories of these seemingly magical insects in the forests of the Yamagata Prefecture. Fireflies hold particular cultural importance in Japan, where their emergence marks the changing of the seasons and is thought to be a manifestation of the souls of soldiers who died in war. The floating light trails captured in this photo were mostly created by male fireflies, who hover and emit frequent bursts of light when trying to court mates. With smaller back wings that render them flightless, female fireflies of this particular species wait patiently on the forest floor or on trees, signaling to males every few seconds with similar flashes of light. Although Koseki’s use of long exposure helped illustrate the wandering luminescence of hundreds of fireflies, he ultimately viewed these insects as his creative collaborators: “The himebotaru is an artist, who paints light in the forest,” Koseki said.

This story originally appeared in bioGraphic, an independent magazine about nature and regeneration powered by the California Academy of Sciences.

Café Royal Books is an independent book publisher that publishes affordable photography books from some of the greatest photographers of all time, but in equal measure, provides a platform to some of the most underrated and unseen.

The small low-cost monograph books are now considered a staple in British photography culture and showcase some of the most important social documentary work ever made in the UK and Ireland. Among the best photographers to document life in the 20th century UK is undoubtedly Chris Killip and five of his Café Royal Books have been reissued due to high demand.

• See our guide to the best books on photography

Chris Killip is renowned for his incredible body of work including projects Seacoal, Skinningrove (recently published in a new book by Stanley / Barker), and Inflagrante which looked at life on the poverty line of the working class in post-war Britain. Killip’s ability to embed himself in a community and document it from within led to capturing authentic moments of the human condition that live long in the memory.

The five books being reissued for second editions by Café Royal Books are Askam-in-Furness 1982, Huddersfield 1974, The Seaside 1975–1981, Shipbuilding on Tyneside 1975–1976, and Isle of Man TT Races 1971.

Among these books are some of Killip’s most intimate photographs. His ability to capture portraits goes far beyond our typical understanding as he combines portraiture, documentary, and reportage photographs to capture a picture of place and time.

Included in the reissues is his work on the Isle of Man TT Races in 1971, a rare publication that captures historic documentation of the races and the culture. Among the images are some of Killip’s best portraits, and it is a masterclass in environmental portraiture and composition – an invaluable resource for photographers who capture people!

The five books can be ordered now directly from the Café Royal Books website for the incredibly low price of $9 / £6.70 / AU $13 each or $40 / £30 / AU $60 for the bundle of five books. Additional shipping costs apply.

These books are incredible introductions to British documentary photography throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and there are some real hidden gems in the collection – and if for any reason you are previously unfamiliar with Killip’s work, I urge you to take a look as he is not just one of my all-time favorites, but the nations!

You may also be interested in our guides to the best coffee table books, the best books on photography, and the best books on portrait photography.