Roy Guthrie, founder of Chapungu Sculpture Park and champion of Zimbabwean art, leaves a lasting legacy in the art world. Read about his life and impact.
Visionary Art Patron Roy Guthrie of Chapungu Sculpture Park Passes…
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Inverness artist creates sculptures inspired by Florida marine life
Suzy Pease is an award-winning sculpture artist based in Inverness. “I like porcelain the best, I think, because it’s a smooth bodied clay, and it doesn’t have any grain in it,” said Pease. Pease loves living in Florida, and a lot of her work is inspired by marine life.
Picturing Maryland: A photo every day in 2024 part 2
Picturing Maryland: A Baltimore Sun photography project showcasing the faces, places and events happening around us.
Lens Blur in Adobe Lightroom: A Step-By-Step Guide
This article originally appeared in Australian Photography’s Feb-Mar issue.
A new update to Adobe Lightroom introduced in October 2023, Lens Blur (which is currently in ‘Early Access’ status as we go to print) can blur the background or foreground in your image by making a depth map of the image using Adobe’s AI Sensei technology.
The tool also lets you add bokeh to out of focus areas in your images.
And while the Lens Blur tool does automate the process considerably, you still have control over the final result.
So far, despite being only in Early Access, I’ve been impressed by the results and have found it’s saved me time in post processing, which means more time for the fun bit – photography!
It’s worth noting that this kind of editing will likely fall foul of many photo competition rules around image manipulation, such as our own Photographer of the Year, so keep this in mind if you plan to use it with a key image.
The tool is found in the Develop module under the Basic panel and has its own heading – ‘Lens blur’. So, with that out of the way, let’s dive right in.
How the lens blur tool works
According to Adobe, the Lens Blur tool analyses the image and creates a Depth map to distinguish between the foreground, the main subject, and the background.
Once the depth map detects different depth levels, the Lens blur tool can then apply a blur effect selectively to specific depth ranges.
Using the tool
Start the mapping
Once you open the drop down for lens Blur you’ll notice a tick box next to the word ‘apply’. Ticking this will start the depth mapping process on your image. It generally works best on images with a clear distinction between the foreground, subject, and the background, but you may be surprised how well it works on other images too.
Set the intensity
Next, we’ll select the Blur amount. This controls the intensity of the Lens Blur effect. The higher the amount, the more prominent the lens blur in your image. I would start with 50 (the default) and then adjust based on the image preview.
Choose the bokeh effect
Now, we’ll select our desired Bokeh Effect from the dropdown. There are five options; Circle, Bubble, 5-Blade, Ring, and Cat Eye. I find the circular and bubble bokeh effect the most useful for my images. Under the Bokeh effect you’ll see a Boost slider, which increases or decreases the intensity of the Bokeh Effect that you have selected.
Set the focal range
Next up is where the real magic happens. We’ll now set the Focal Range, which defines different depth levels in the image and the areas that are in and out of focus. It is a graphical representation (like a bar chart).
You can choose to set the Focal range based on one of three options – Subject Focus, Point/Area Focus, or manually. The first two options are situated on the right side of the panel and marked by a symbol of a head and shoulders and a target symbol.
First up is Subject focus – the head and shoulders.
Selecting this uses AI to automate the focal range process by masking your subject and then applying the blur effect to areas around the subject. Next, Point/Area Focus (symbol: a target) allows you to select a specific point or area on the image, and then adjust the Focal range manually.
Finally, if you’d like to control it yourself, you can use the slider on the graph below to drag the focal range to your desired area.
By first ticking Visualise depth you’ll also get a visual reference to the areas being selected in different colours (these are displayed as warm and cool colour tones – see the breakout box at the bottom of the page for an explanation). This can help you to apply the lens blur effect more accurately.
I generally use Subject Focus in most cases and then Adjust the Focal range if needed.
Refine the effect
Finally, we can also refine the effect. I find this is more useful in images where there is less distinction between the foreground, subject, and the background, as the tool does struggle with images like this on occasion.
Under the Refine dropdown next to the Visualise depth tickbox you have two options, Focus and Blur. If you select Focus, you can paint with a brush over the areas that you still want to keep in focus.
It’s worth adding that this option won’t recover areas that are out of focus in your original image, it will just exclude certain areas from the Lens Blur you’ve applied.
Warm or Yellow: Covers the area that has a near focal range.
Cool or Blue: Covers the area that has a far focal range.
White: Covers the area that is currently in focus if you’re adjusting the Focal Range controls.
The second option is Blur – this works in the opposite way.
Like with Focus, you can paint with a brush over the areas in the image, but instead it’ll add in lens blur.
There are also additional sliders that will help you to fine-tune your brush, just like when you apply any other brush in Lightroom. These are Amount, Size, Feather, and Flow.
Also, I should add that there is an Auto Mask tickbox at the bottom of this window that was added recently – I haven’t been able to find any information from Adobe on what this does, or see any noticeable difference when editing my images with it applied or not.
Hopefully by the time you read this it’s been updated.
And one more thing before I go – if you want to see a before and after at any point, click and hold the cursor on the eyeball symbol. You can see it where you select the Lens blur dropdown. ❂
Picture perfect: Fountain Hills launches inaugural photography competition
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and the town of Fountain Hills are joining forces to capture the essence of life in Fountain Hills with the announcement of the inaugural Fountain Hills Photography Competition.
This creative placemaking project encourages creativity and exploration while illuminating the community through diverse perspectives and eyes. Through this contest, people will be able to see the landscapes, everyday living, wildlife, dark skies, culture and commerce that make the Fountain Hills community and region truly unique.
The Fountain Hills Photography Competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers, allowing them to explore and appreciate the unique landscapes, culture and wildlife in the community.
Photographers don’t have to live in Fountain Hills but all photos must be taken in Fountain Hills.
The contest will award cash prizes in multiple categories, publish the winning photographs locally and showcase the winners through media outreach and social media promotions. Additionally, all winning photos will be displayed on a dedicated website.
The Fountain Hills Photography Competition not only aims to celebrate the beauty and creativity of the town but also provides an opportunity for photographers to showcase their talent and passion. This competition will not only capture stunning images but also help foster a sense of community pride and appreciation for the unique features of Fountain Hills.
With the support of SAACA and the town of Fountain Hills, this competition promises to be an exciting event that will bring people together to celebrate the community and culture through the art of photography.
Contest entries will be judged on overall quality, creativity and how well the photograph portrays the town of Fountain Hills.
Contest categories include:
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Category 1: Life in Fountain Hills and surrounding neighbors in Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community.
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Category 2: Places in Fountain Hills, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community.
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Category 3: Plants and wildlife in Fountain Hills.
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Category 4: Digitally altered artistic photographic images.
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Category 5: Youth (entrant/photographer must be under 18). Photos taken in Fountain Hills, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community can reflect any subject matter the entrant wants to submit.
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Category 6: Dark skies; Fountain Hills is designated as an International Dark Sky Community.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on May 1. Learn more about the contest, its requirements and submit photos at fountainhillsphotocompetition.com.
NYA-EVO Unveils Fjord 50-C: The Transformative Backpack for Advent…
Adventure photographers are constantly on the lookout for gear that marries functionality with durability, and NYA-EVO’s latest offering, the Fjord 50-C, appears to tick all the boxes. Notably, this backpack stands out with its flexible capacity, expanding from 40L to 50L, alongside its weather-resistant features, making it an ideal companion for photographers on the move. Its Kickstarter campaign has already surpassed its funding goal, reflecting the photography community’s enthusiasm for innovative gear solutions.
Design and Functionality
The Fjord 50-C’s design focuses on versatility without compromising on space or durability. Its roll top with a zip closure allows for adjustable storage space, ensuring that photographers can pack everything they need for their adventures. The backpack’s construction from water-resistant Econyl nylon and a waterproof Hypalon base offers peace of mind, ensuring that gear remains dry and protected in any weather condition. Additionally, its thoughtful design includes glove-friendly zipper pulls and buckles, as well as holders for an array of equipment, making it a comprehensive solution for adventure photography.
Comfort and Capacity
Understanding the challenges of carrying heavy loads, NYA-EVO has equipped the Fjord 50-C with height-adjustable straps and a removable waist belt to distribute weight evenly. The inclusion of a lightweight aluminum frame maintains the backpack’s shape, further enhancing comfort during extended use. Inside, photographers can keep their gear organized with NYA-EVO’s removable camera inserts, available in various sizes, and the Assistant Pouch 1.5 for smaller accessories. This attention to detail underscores NYA-EVO’s commitment to meeting the specific needs of adventure photographers.
Crowdfunding Success and Options
The Kickstarter campaign for the Fjord 50-C not only reached but exceeded its funding goal, raising $46,473 against an original target of $13,564. This success highlights the photography community’s support for innovative and high-quality gear. Backers have a range of options, from supporting the project with smaller contributions to receive the Assistant 1.5 Pouch to investing in the Fjord 50-C complete setup, which includes the backpack, waist belt, rain cover, and helmet mesh panel. With the campaign still active, potential backers have a final opportunity to secure the Fjord 50-C at an early bird price before it increases.
NYA-EVO’s introduction of the Fjord 50-C backpack marks a significant milestone in the world of adventure photography gear. Its blend of flexibility, durability, and thoughtful design addresses the core needs of photographers facing the elements in pursuit of their passion. As the Kickstarter campaign concludes and production begins, the photography community eagerly anticipates the arrival of a backpack that promises to enhance their shooting experience, regardless of the destination. This successful campaign not only reinforces NYA-EVO’s reputation for quality but also signals a bright future for adventure photography equipment.
Wood sculpture in works for CHAPS silver anniversary
A commemorative wood sculpture is in the works to help mark the silver anniversary of the Cochrane Historical & Archival Preservation Society’s (CHAPS). Last night, representatives of CHAPS sought the endorsement of town council for the 25th anniversary project. It not only represents a bit of Cochrane’s rich heritage but has its own origin story. In 2022, an old established trees located on the southeast side of the Cochrane Historical Musuem was knocked down during a windstorm. After the damaged debris was removed, a large stump remained. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/con_ros_bb', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-21846943808-bbm1'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [21846943808]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); CHAPS received several inquiries from visitors about the future of the 8- to 9-inch-tall stump.
Local Photographers Capture Underwater Awe
James Ferrara
It takes a lot to frighten James Ferrara. When he is not getting up close and personal with sharks, he works for Martin County Fire Rescue, where he has been a firefighter/paramedic for 16 years. Ferrara, 41, who grew up in Port St. Lucie, bought his first camera just eight years ago and taught himself how to shoot. “Some of my dive buddies were really into shark diving, so my first introduction to the photography world was through them,” he says.
He began joining his friends on diving excursions with his camera in tow shooting sharks and has since expanded his portfolio of work to include a variety of other marine life. This past September, he traveled to Moorea, Tahiti to photograph humpback whales. In November, he was in Magdalena Bay in Mexico photographing scores of striped marlin that come to hunt during the area’s annual sardine migration. “It’s such a surreal experience,” says Ferrara. “To be in the water with marlin and watch them hunt and see the speed, it’s just incredible.”
His work has garnered acclaim from Oceanographic Magazine, where he was a finalist in the publication’s annual Ocean Photographer of the Year competition in both 2021 and 2023. His stunning photographs are regularly on view at the Kona Kai Resort art gallery in Key Largo.
Ferrara is currently planning a trip to Antarctica in 2025, where he will spend a month on a sailboat photographing cold-water marine life including leopard seals, penguins, humpback whales, and orcas. jferraragallery.com; @jferraragallery
Cassandra Scott
The water has long been home to North Palm Beach native Cassandra Scott. “My parents have a house on the Intracoastal with a canal, so I spent my childhood hanging out back there with the critters,” she says. Now 36, she still hangs out with critters—though they are a lot bigger than the lizards, snakes, and horseshoe crabs from her youth. Through her work as an environmental advocate, Scott documents and photographs sharks in an effort to bring much-needed attention to these often-misunderstood creatures.
Scott always knew she wanted to work with animals and spent some time in college studying biology, engineering, and photography. Then one day, she received a phone call that would set a path for her to pursue her passion. “A buddy was working on one of the shark-diving boats out of Jupiter and asked if I wanted to work on it,” she recalls. She jumped at the opportunity.
Since then, she has gravitated toward conservation and, for the past three years, has been working with the American Shark Conservancy to collect data on sharks. With the goal of better understanding how humans and sharks interact and the impact we have on one another, she photographs the diverse marine life she encounters off the coast of Jupiter. “We have shelves right in our area with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream coming through and bringing lots of different types of creatures—everything from tiny corals to big sharks,” says Scott. “It’s just a big highway. You never know what you are going to see. It’s fun to be able to show people what is under the water and get them excited to go on a dive.”
In 2022, she was contacted by the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, where her photography is currently on display. americansharkconservancy.org; @covascott
Lazaro Ruda
Stuart resident Lazaro “Laz” Ruda has been fascinated by underwater life for as long as he can remember. “There is this picture of me and my mom on the beach when I was little,” he recalls. “I have a pacifier in my mouth, and I’m wearing a mask.”
Born in Spain, Ruda, now 50, was 5 months old when his parents moved to Florida. He grew up in Miami, then moved to North Palm Beach in 2005 and bought his first underwater camera while working as a dive master at Scuba Adventures. “People would always ask me what I saw underwater,” he says. Ruda figured answering that question would be easier if he could show them photos of his encounters.
His passion became a career when he was invited to Jupiter’s ArtiGras festival in 2012 as one of the show’s emerging artists. Ruda now sells his work at art festivals throughout Florida during season as well as on his website.
His vast portfolio of work spans everything from dolphins, manatees, and humpback whales to starfish, seahorses, and jellyfish, most of his photographs captured off the coast of South Florida. “I know the reefs here very well,” he says. “The Breakers Reef is one of my favorites. I’ve had a lot of special experiences there.”
Ruda currently lives on a sailboat on the Intracoastal and hopes to take a trip around the world on the boat soon to continue exploring. “There’s wonder everywhere you look,” he says. “Being underwater is a very special place for me. It makes me really
appreciate nature and enjoy the little things.” thelivingsea.com; @thelivingsea
Carmel’s New Artistic Vision: Five Sculptures to Adorn City Sites,…
Discover Carmel’s plan to infuse its public spaces with unique sculptures, aiming to transform the city into a vibrant cultural hub.
