The essence of what makes a photograph compelling often eludes easy explanation, captivating the viewer in ways that are felt more than they are understood. This enigmatic quality of photography is what draws both creators and viewers into a deeper exploration of visual storytelling, marking its importance in the realm of art and expression.

Coming to you from The Photographic Eye, this intriguing video explores the nuanced artistry behind captivating photographs, focusing on the work of renowned photographer Erwin Olf. Olf’s photography, characterized by meticulously constructed sets and a profound control over lighting, evokes a sense of precision and intentionality that is rarely seen in other forms of photography. The video delves into the elements that make Olf’s work stand out—such as the unique lighting that, while controlled, never overpowers the image, and the expressive poses that convey deep emotion. This analysis serves as a valuable lesson, illustrating the importance of every detail in crafting an image that resonates on a deeper level with its audience.

Additionally, the discussion on the emotional impact of photography, as compared to the energetic dynamism of other photographers, highlights the diversity in artistic approaches within the field. Olf’s work, with its painting-like quality and the deliberate construction of each scene, showcases how photographers can manipulate atmosphere and narrative to draw viewers into a moment. The video emphasizes that beyond the technical aspects of photography, it is the story and emotion conveyed through an image that truly captivates the viewer. This perspective is essential for anyone looking to elevate their work from mere captures to compelling stories. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

When Sarjo Baldeh was 20, she was given a Canon T6 as a birthday present. She was thrilled to have her own camera after spending her teenage years practising with borrowed equipment.

“Cameras are expensive in my country and are often imported from abroad, so you have to save for years to be able to buy your own,” says Baldeh.

Nearly three years later, she was one of the few African female photographers at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ivory Coast.

Baldeh accompanied the Gambia national team to the football tournament, her biggest assignment yet. At pitchside during all their matches in Yamoussoukro, the Ivory Coast capital, and Bouaké, she posted photos on her social media, often giving live updates during the games.

But Baldeh herself captured plenty of attention. In bright colours with a pale-pink headscarf, she stood out during matches.

“Some of the photos of the Scorpions [the Gambia team nickname] that you see on social media were taken by this young woman – Thumbs up to Sarjo!!,” posted African Hub on X. Africa Archives also highlighted her talent.

Baldeh grew up in Lamin, a village in west Gambia, with her father, a police officer, and her mother who is a firefighter. She was introduced to photography in her early teens, on a summer programme run by Starfish International, a non-profit organisation empowering girls in the Gambia. It was pure chance that she was put into the media class, she says, while her classmates learned skills such as sewing. Starfish loaned her a camera, which she used to practise, mainly capturing daily chores.

After getting her own camera, and with encouragement from her Starfish mentor, she tried wedding photography, first with friends and family, then on paid jobs.

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“I am usually online looking at the work of other photographers and checking out their social media pages. I particularly love the way sports photographers capture the movement of footballers, so I started doing research about it because there is not much information about sports photography in the Gambia,” she says.

“There is nothing like a photography school in the Gambia and I didn’t want to sit down and do nothing with my life. I wanted to make a change.”

Baldeh taught herself how to shoot sports events by watching YouTube tutorials and asking for help from established sports photographers on social media. One, based in the US, whom Baldeh contacted through Instagram, taught her “how to shoot, what to shoot, how to position my light, and how to position my camera”.

Her first job on an overseas sports event was at a match between the Gambia and South Sudan during the Afcon qualification in Senegal in 2022.

In 2022, she was approached by Real de Banjul, a top-flight Gambian team, to join them on a freelance basis. The following year, Fortune FC, another Gambian team, offered her a full-time position.

But it was this year’s Afcon that brought her wider attention in Africa. She arrived in Ivory Coast last month with the Gambia national team – the only female photographer in the team’s group of four. She rented a professional camera and lenses, and her travel was sponsored by Fortune FC, while the Gambia’s ministry of youth and sports covered her accommodation.

At least four other young female photographers attended Afcon, including Weam Mostafa Elsayed from Egypt, iLa Yeboah from Ghana, Justina Aniefiok from Nigeria and Khady Sy from Mauritania. Baldeh was attending the games as a freelancer – the Gambia’s national team has a male official photographer.

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Baldeh had to leave Ivory Coast when the Gambian team lost the last of their group games to Cameroon.

“When Gambia went out [of the tournament], I had to leave as well,” she says. “But it was a unique experience for me, it’s a very male dominated job. My pictures went viral because I do live updating,” she says.

“When I came to Afcon I realised that in order to be in same position as male photographers I have to double up my hard work, because they’re taller than me, bigger than me, fitter than me, especially when we have to take squad pictures of the boys – it’s always a push and pull situation [to take the best spot],” she says.

“It’s not like male photographers are better than female. I want people to recognise me as a photographer who is as good as male ones. I want Gambia to see how passionate I am. I’d like to take my sports photography to the next level. I want to be part of the national team photographers.”

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Baldeh says that a highlight of Afcon was getting to take pictures of Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian who was named African men’s player of the year in 2023. She had to travel for three hours from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan, where Nigeria played Ivory Coast.

“Being able to meet him in person during Afcon was amazing. Taking photos of him was a dream come true for me,” she says of her favourite player.

Baldeh’s biggest wish is to go to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the US and Mexico.

“If I find sponsors to go, I will be the first Gambian to cover a World Cup as a sports photographer. Gambia has never qualified for a World Cup before.”

“Shaolin Monks Training” by Steve McCurry
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Cavalier Galleries is celebrating renowned photojournalist Steve McCurry with concurrent exhibitions in their New York and Greenwich locations. One of the greatest visual storytellers of his generation, McCurry’s powerful portraits and documentary photography help us understand more about different cultures around the world.

From February 8 to March 9, 2024, more than 30 of his photographs from the 1980s to today will go on view at the gallery’s location in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood. A separate, pendant exhibition will also go up simultaneously in Greenwich, Connecticut. With a vast archive to pull from, the gallery directors were spoiled for choice and met with McCurry’s team to carefully select images that would explore the depth and breadth of his work. The result is a powerful show that takes us from Cuba and the Philippines to Myanmar, Pakistan, and Tibet.

“We selected photographs spanning the past 40 years of his career, from his iconic image of the Afghan Girl (1984) to a breathtaking photograph of Namibian shepherd boys from 2023,” shares Ron Cavalier, president at Cavalier Galleries. “Visitors to the exhibition will be greeted by McCurry’s 1994 photo of Monks Praying at Golden Rock in Myanmar, which is also the cover image of his new book, Devotion: Love and Spirituality. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a wall of eight portraits, selected from countries around the world and showcasing McCurry’s stirring ability to capture both personal narrative and the somehow universal landscape of our diverse, collective humanity.”

Through McCurry’s powerful work, which is rich with color and rife with emotion, we learn a bit more about the world. From Shaolin monks in training to Afghan women shopping for shoes, these small glimpses of life help bring us together. And they hopefully also help us realize that we aren’t so different from one another.

“I look for that unguarded moment, where the essential soul is peeking out, and try to convey some part of what it is like to be that person, or in a broader sense, to relate their life to the human experience as a whole,” McCurry tells My Modern Met. “We humans connect to one another via eye contact—there is a real power in that shared moment of attention when you catch a glimpse of what it must be like to be in their shoes. I think this is one of the most powerful things about photography: to relate that sensation.”

Steve McCurry runs from February 8, 2024, to March 9, 2024, at Cavalier Galleries in New York City (530 W 24th Street) and Greenwich, Connecticut (175 Greenwich Avenue). On Thursday, February 22, there will also be an artist reception and signing of McCurry’s new book, Devotion: Love and Spirituality, at the New York location.

The career of acclaimed photojournalist Steve McCurry is being celebrated by Cavalier Galleries.

“Afghan Girl, Peshawar,” Steve McCurry

“Afghan Women at Shoe Store,” Steve McCurry

The gallery will hold concurrent solo exhibitions at its locations in New York City and Greenwich.

“Candy Factory Worker,” Steve McCurry

“Procession of Nuns,” Steve McCurry

In late February 2024, McCurry will also be present at the New York location for a reception and book signing.

“Himba Shepherds Take Their Goats to Graze,” Steve McCurry

“Woman Enters Monolithic Church,” Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Cavalier Galleries: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images ©  Steve McCurry. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Cavalier Galleries.

Related Articles:

Steve McCurry’s New Book Features Over 100 Unseen Photographs

Steve McCurry Shares His Philosophy on What Makes a Good Portrait

Interview: Steve McCurry Captures Human Connection to Animals Around the World

Legendary Photographer Steve McCurry on His Illustrious Career and New Book [Podcast]

Maybe the box isn’t magic. But, the fishing box I converted to carrying all the support items as a wedding photographer made me seem like a magician to my wedding clients. More magic always led to more referrals.

From fishing tackle box to magic box

I tried many different containers over the years. I started small and found that I kept needing more and more space. At each wedding, whenever I was asked for something that I didn’t already have, I made sure it was there at the next event. The box I ended up with turned out to be, as Goldilocks said, “Just right.” Mine was about 8 x 17 inches and 9 inches deep.

Magic box contents

Over the years, the contents of the box grew, from the basics to more advanced items. It got to a point when anything was needed by almost anyone at the wedding, the call went out to, “Check with the wedding photographer, I’ll bet that he has it!”

Edibles

• Breath mints
• Mint gum
• Crackers

Hair care

• Multiple brushes
• Mirror
• Hair spray
• Bobbie pins (multiple colors)
• Hair clips
• Scrunchies
• Scissors
• Electric razor

Repair materials

• Safety pins (multiple sizes)
• Static Guard Spray
• Lint brush/Sticky sheets
• Small clamps
• Shoelaces
• Earring backs
• Sewing kit/tape measure
• Tape

Personal care

• Tampax and pads
• Tooth brush and tooth paste
• Hemorrhoid ointment
• Deodorant
• Baby powder
• Razor
• Tissues
• Wipes
• Q-tips/Cotton swabs
• Red Cross toothache medication
• Refilit tooth filling material

Protection

• Sunscreen
• First aid kit
• Band aids in different sizes
• Cleansing wipes
• Gauze pads

Make-up

• Hand cream
• Eye shadow
• Personal skin toners/blush
• Make-up Brushes
• Lip Gloss
• Clear nail polish
• Mascara
• Nail file/Emory board

How to source your magic box/wedding photographer kit

Head to the sporting good department for your tackle box. A tool box might work as well depending upon what is in your kit.

To fill it go to the larger drug stores you can find personal sizes of LOTS of stuff. There is usually a section with travel items at $1 – $3. The Dollar Store can be a good spot as well. Not shown in this kit, but I also carried a couple of tuxedo shirts and spare black shoes. You know, just in case there was a shortage when the tux delivery was made. There was more, but you get the idea.

I found the more I could be of service and “Johnny-on-the-spot,” the smoother the wedding went and the more referrals I received from clients and wedding planners.

Yours in Creative Photography, Bob

The World Photography Organisation and Sony established the National & Regional Awards program as a way to support local photography communities from all over the world. This year, 395,000 images were submitted from over 220 countries and territories, resulting in an impressive number of winning images. 

The Sony World Photography Awards have a wide range of photography categories, and in the build-up to announcing the overall winners, some of the category winners are released sooner. The National and Regional Winners were selected from a wide range of regions that showcase the best photography of today.

Winning images are selected from around the globe, resulting in extremely diverse approaches and subject matter, celebrating geographical and cultural differences. Among the winning images are a cornucopia of wildlife, documentary, landscape, and portrait images, each showing a unique insight into new worlds. 

The winners from the National and Regional Awards are listed below:

Bangladesh – Mahdin Shafiq Omi

Cambodia – Davuth Van 

Egypt – Karim Osama 

Germany – Natalie Strohmaier 

India – Mitul Kajaria 

Indonesia – Dhiky Aditya 

Japan – Kenichiro Hagiwara

Republic of Korea – Lee Jongkee

Kuwait – Mohammed Mirza 

Malaysia – Lim Chien Ting 

Myanmar – Kyaw Htet 

Nepal – Bibek Kunwar 

Nigeria – Onyekachi Iloh 

Pakistan – Muhammad Saddique Inam 

Philippines – Reginald James Lorico 

Poland – Barbara Szydlowska

Qatar – Abdulla AL-Mushaifri 

Saudi Arabia – Yasser Alomari 

Singapore – Ju Shen Lee 

South Africa – Lourens Durand 

Sri Lanka – Wasiri Gajaman 

Taiwan – Chia Jung Chou 

Thailand – Thanayu Jongwattanasilkul 

Turkey – Okan Yilmaz 

United Arab Emirates – Vinaya Mohan 

United States – Pascal Fouquet 

Vietnam – Tran Tuan Viet

The Award is split further into European Regional Awards and Latin America Regional Awards. The winners of these are: 

Czech Republic – Tomáš Havrda 

Latvia – Viktors Rimarevs

Slovenia – Ana Skobe 

Bulgaria – Vladimir Karamazov 

Argentina – Marcos Azulay 

All of the award winners will receive a selection of Sony Imaging equipment such as the best Sony camera and Sony lenses, and all winning images will be included in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book.

The overall winners for the Student, Youth, Open, and Professional competitions of the Sony World Photography Awards 2024 will be announced on 18 April 2024. Winners will be placed on display as part of the exhibition at Somerset House in London from April 19 – May 6 2024.

You can check out the Awards website for more information about upcoming announcements and for the full list of winners.

See also our earlier story Next generation of photographers shortlisted in student and youth Sony World Photo Awards 2024