Photography

Milwaukee Art Museum announces new Herzfeld Center for Photography show

Milwaukee Art Museum announces new Herzfeld Center for Photography show

Milwaukee Art Museum will host “True Story: Photography, Journalism, and Media,” a photography exhibition of works drawn from its collection that explore how images have affected how we view world events.

The show, with more than 100 objects – photographs, magazines, prints, collages and film – from this century and last, opens Nov. 15 in the Herzfeld Center for Photography and Media Arts on the museum’s lower level, and runs through March 16.

“Highlighting artworks significant to the Museum’s collection and the history of photojournalism, True Story demonstrates how images have had the power to shape the way we understand the events of our time,” says MAM Chief Curator Elizabeth Siegel.

There are works by Robert Capa, Eugene Smith, Lewis Wickes Hine, Wayne Miller, Danny Lyon, Larry Burrows, Christian Patterson, William Weege, Bruce Conner, Taryn Simon and Robert Heinecken that look at the Civil Rights Movement as the Vietnam War as well as a car crash, a parade and a Packers game.

You can see a sampling of the images included in the exhibition here.

“‘True Story’ provides a glimpse into the long relationship between news and photography,” added exhibition curator Ariel Pate, who is MAM’s assistant curator of photography.

“As the media landscape continues to grow and evolve, I hope our visitors gain an appreciation for media literacy as a crucial skill.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by a programming that includes a two-day World AIDS Day Commemoration, a Haberman Local Luminaries program, Gallery Talks and other events. Details are here.

Why Every Photographer Should Use PDF Editing Tools

Why Every Photographer Should Use PDF Editing Tools

A promotional image for a PDF Editor for Photographers by UPDF. The image showcases the software's interface on a laptop, tablet, and smartphone, with options like edit, annotate, convert, OCR, protect, and AI chat displayed. The background is gradient purple-to-pink.

Like every other folk in this universe, photographers also need PDF editor software to boost their document productivity. It’s because PDFs are easy to share without disrupting image quality. When working with PDFs, photographers can also add watermarks to their creations or collaborate with other artists effectively. But that’s not all!


Full disclosure: This sponsored article is brought to you by Superace.


PDF editing software, like UPDF, simplifies the PDF creating and editing. Its AI features to make PDF reading faster and facilitate brainstorming. So, if you are a photographer wondering how you can benefit from a PDF editing tool, you are in for a treat! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how UPDF can revolutionize your PDF handling-skills. So, without any further ado, let’s begin exploring!

Create or Edit Photography Portfolio in PDF Format

Most photographers create their portfolios in PDF format, as not only is this format easy to share, but it always keeps the format. PDFs also help showcase the true colors, and they are easily editable with the help of innovative platforms like UPDF. UPDF is an all-in-one AI-powered PDF editor with comprehensive features and a user-friendly interface. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. With it, you can also create or edit a photography portfolio in PDF format. Here is how:

Step 1: Download and install UPDF on your desktop or mobile devices. Once done, launch it.

Step 2: Open your PDF file such as your own portfolio and click on “Edit”. Then you can edit text, images and links in PDF without losing format. You can change the font, size or color as you like.

You can also create a new portfolio PDF from blank. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Click on Create – Blank Page to begin from scratch or create a PDF file from an already existing file, in case you have already made your portfolio and want to convert it into PDF format. You can also create PDFs from images or PowerPoint or Word, combining all of them into one PDF. In short, you have plenty of options, so choose one that suits your preferences.

Step 2: Once you have created a PDF, you can switch between differing modes, Comment, Edit, etc., to make necessary changes.

Create PDF from a Camera or Scanner

Wait, do you want to create a PDF from a camera or scanner? UPDF also enables that! UPDF for iOS enables instant conversion of already captured images to PDF or camera-captured images to PDF. Here is how you can convert an image to PDF:

Step 1: Launch UPDF for iOS and select one or multiple photos you want to convert to PDF

Step 2: Hit Convert to PDF to generate a PDF copy of that file. Then you can share the PDF to others.

If you are using UPDF for a desktop, you can scan an image and convert it into a PDF. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Go to File > Create > PDF from Scanner.

Step 2: Choose the scanner which is already connected to your computer.

Step 3: Tweak the scan setting per your preferences and preview the scanning results.

A screenshot of a scanning software interface. The scanned document shows black-and-white images and text from a book or magazine. On the left side, there are device options, and on the right, settings for scanning, including resolution, rotation angle, and image correction.

Step 4: Once scanning is done, UPDF will auto-open the newly created PDF. If you want to take notes or search text in the scanned PDF, you can use UPDF’s OCR capability to make it searchable and editable.

Conveniently Edit Photographer PDF Templates (Invoices/Resume/Contract…)

As a photographer, if you have the need to edit any PDF templates such as contracts, invoices, or your personal resume, UPDF can make the process effortless by allowing you to easily edit text and images, just like in Word.

Open your PDF template in UPDF and switch to the Edit mode and make the necessary changes in the template. You can edit text, images, and links to customize it.

Read and Annotate Photography Learning Materials

The Internet is loaded with photography learning materials, like manuals or books, that prove helpful for improving skills and boosting your productivity. With UPDF, you can conveniently read and annotate such learning materials. Just open it with UPDF and switch to Reader mode to simply read the book or switch to the Comment section to perform annotations.

A toolbar with various formatting and editing icons, including options for comments, styles, underline, text color, align left, center, right, bullet points, numbered list, decrease indent, increase indent, hyperlink, insert image, and more.

The annotation tools are pretty diverse, including the addition of comments, sticky notes, stickers, text boxes, etc. Others include underlining, strikethrough, highlighting, adding signatures, or erasing annotations. Also, UPDF AI has a powerful feature that you can chat with PDF including summarize long PDF or converts text-heavy PDFs to mind maps.

A color chart is displayed on the left side, ranging from dark blue at night sky to bright yellow at candlelight. The right side shows text discussing light sources, neutralizing colors in lighting, and using the Tungsten White Balance preset. Text highlights are in blue and pink.

Brainstorm New Ideas with AI Chatbot

UPDF also features an AI chatbot to let photographers brainstorm new ideas for photography. All you need to do is to enter simple prompts and explore the results. For instance, if you are looking for ideas regarding mountain photography, you can use prompts like: “When is the best time of day to take photographs of the Alps Mountain?” UPDF AI will generate multiple pose ideas for your inspiration.

Aside from this, photographers can AI chat with images. Just drag and drop any photo by an unknown person and use a chatbot to find out its source.

Screenshot of a webpage with an image of a pumpkin sculpture featuring repeating holes and patterns. The page includes a question about the artist, an image of the artist in the top left corner, and text explaining that the artwork is by Yayoi Kusama.

Why Must You Choose UPDF?

By now, you have explored the different perks of PDF editing software for photographers, so let’s understand why you must choose UPDF. UPDF is a comprehensive platform with extensive features that make it stand out among the crowd of competitors.

Its major highlights include:

Cross-Platform Support: UPDF offers cross-platform support, as it’s compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. The best part? You can continue your work from where you left off on your smartphone with Cloud storage.

One Account for 4 Devices: UPDF enables you to use a single premium account on four different devices simultaneously, including two smartphones and two PCs/Macs. This will save loads of money. Also, the AI is also available on the web.

Reasonable Pricing: UPDF is available at 1/5th of the Adobe Acrobat price. This reasonable pricing with all those comprehensive features is surely a blessing.

AI Chatbot: UPDF’s AI chatbot is robust and has GPT-4 integrations. With it, you can chat with your photographs, asking for their sources. You can also brainstorm ideas.

UPDF for Cloud: UPDF for Cloud enables seamless file synching across all compatible devices. You can continue your work on mobile when on the go, which you left incomplete on your studio’s PC, and vice versa.

Wrapping It Up!

Most photographers prefer sharing their photobooks and portfolios in PDF format. PDFs keep the image quality intact and don’t affect the formatting of text if added. Moreover, there are multiple PDF editing software, like UPDF, that make PDF management and editing quite easy. So, be sure to free download UPDF and give them a try. If you ask us, we will recommend trying out UPDF, as it’s equipped with all advanced features to make your PDF experience seamless and hassle-free.

The best part? UPDF is currently offering a. So, if you’re interested in try it, you can free download free trials. Or you can get full version with an up to 50% discount on UPDF Pro.


Full disclosure: This sponsored article was brought to you by Superace.

Tickets now available for an evening with botanical photographer Jimmy Fike Oct. 12

Tickets now available for an evening with botanical photographer Jimmy Fike Oct. 12
image

The Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) is proud to announce a special presentation event featuring acclaimed botanical photographer Jimmy Fike on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion in Carefree.

Fike’s groundbreaking work, “Edible Plants,” is a visual feast that showcases over a decade of travel across the continental United States capturing the beauty and utility of North America’s wild edible flora. His unique photography style blurs the lines between art and science, offering a fresh perspective on our natural environment. 

Using a distinctive technique of selective colorization, Fike highlights the edible portions of each plant, creating images that are both informative and visually striking. 

This presentation goes beyond mere aesthetics, according to DFLT. Fike’s place-based approach to landscape photography emphasizes humanity’s intricate relationship with the natural world, unveiling often-overlooked food sources and promoting environmental stewardship. 

“This isn’t just a presentation – it’s an awakening,” according to DFLT. “Fike’s work invites you to rediscover your relationship with nature, unveiling secret food sources hidden in plain sight. ‘Edible Plants’ serves as a powerful reminder of the bounty that surrounds us and the importance of preserving our natural habitats.”

This event offers a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of art, science and conservation with one of today’s most innovative botanical photographers. 

Elevate your experience with gourmet food from local restaurant Speedy Burger, available for purchase at the event. After the talk, don’t miss the opportunity to take home a piece of this botanical adventure. Fike will be signing and selling copies of his stunning book, allowing you to continue your exploration of edible plants long after the evening ends. 

To purchase tickets for this event, visit dflt.org/calendar

Tickets now available for an evening with botanical photographer Jimmy Fike Oct. 12

Tickets now available for an evening with botanical photographer Jimmy Fike Oct. 12
image

The Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) is proud to announce a special presentation event featuring acclaimed botanical photographer Jimmy Fike on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion in Carefree.

Fike’s groundbreaking work, “Edible Plants,” is a visual feast that showcases over a decade of travel across the continental United States capturing the beauty and utility of North America’s wild edible flora. His unique photography style blurs the lines between art and science, offering a fresh perspective on our natural environment. 

Using a distinctive technique of selective colorization, Fike highlights the edible portions of each plant, creating images that are both informative and visually striking. 

This presentation goes beyond mere aesthetics, according to DFLT. Fike’s place-based approach to landscape photography emphasizes humanity’s intricate relationship with the natural world, unveiling often-overlooked food sources and promoting environmental stewardship. 

“This isn’t just a presentation – it’s an awakening,” according to DFLT. “Fike’s work invites you to rediscover your relationship with nature, unveiling secret food sources hidden in plain sight. ‘Edible Plants’ serves as a powerful reminder of the bounty that surrounds us and the importance of preserving our natural habitats.”

This event offers a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of art, science and conservation with one of today’s most innovative botanical photographers. 

Elevate your experience with gourmet food from local restaurant Speedy Burger, available for purchase at the event. After the talk, don’t miss the opportunity to take home a piece of this botanical adventure. Fike will be signing and selling copies of his stunning book, allowing you to continue your exploration of edible plants long after the evening ends. 

To purchase tickets for this event, visit dflt.org/calendar

Drone Photographer Seeks First Amendment Rights for His Aerial Images

Drone Photographer Seeks First Amendment Rights for His Aerial Images
Drone photographer Michael Jones (above) has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting First Amendment protection for his aerial images.

A drone photographer is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to protect his aerial images with First Amendment Rights — in the same way as free speech.

On September 9, drone photographer and entrepreneur Michael Jones, who is based in Goldsboro, North Carolina, filed a petition of certiorari with the Supreme Court.

In his petition, the drone photographer is asking the Supreme Court to offer First Amendment protection for his aerial images.

Jones argues that the useful “data” and “information” that he provides clients in his aerial photographs qualify as free speech in the digital age and that state licensing boards do not have the authority to censor it.

Photographer and FAA-licensed drone operator Jones runs an aerial-mapping business in North Carolina, according to a press release by the Institute of Justice (IJ), the public interest law firm that is representing him.

Many landowners find a bird’s-eye perspective on their property useful in situations where they do not need a full-blown land survey and Jones’ aerial-mapping business provides a solution for this.

Jones takes aerial photographs of private property in North Carolina with the owners’ permission. He then uses publicly available digital tools to stitch the images together into high-definition maps for clients.

Fate of a Drone Photographer Lies With Supreme Court

Jones follows all safety and privacy laws with his drone photography. However, despite this, North Carolina’s surveying board has tried to crack down on Jones’ aerial business.

[embedded content]

In 2019, the North Carolina surveying board issued a cease-and-desist letter. The board ordered Michael to shut down his operations or face civil and criminal penalties.

In response, Michael sued the board, arguing that his aerial photographs and maps are forms of speech protected by the First Amendment. The photographer says that government cannot criminalize the communication of aerial photographs simply because of the “data” and “information” they contain.

Now, it is likely that state regulators will shut the drone photographer’s business down — unless the Supreme Court intervenes in his case.

In his petition filed this month, Jones is asking the Supreme Court to take up his case and protect the First Amendment rights for everyone who is simply providing information to willing customers.

“Drone technology may be new, but the principles at stake in Michael’s case are as old as the nation itself,” IJ Senior Attorney Sam Gedge.

“Taking photos and providing information to willing clients is speech, and it’s fully protected by the First Amendment.”

Prior to his petition with the Supreme Court, Jones’ case was rejected by the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in May this year. The court carved out the photographer’s creation of maps as “conduct,” not speech.

“When a government agency sends a cease-and-desist letter telling you to stop communicating photographs containing specific types of ‘data’ and ‘information,’ that’s a red flag that serious First Amendment interests are in play,” IJ Attorney James Knight argues.

“The Fourth Circuit’s ruling was badly flawed, and it spotlights the lower courts’ confusion about the power of licensing boards to censor speech.”
 


 
Image credits: All photos via the Institute of Justice

Drone Photographer Seeks First Amendment Rights for His Aerial Images

Drone Photographer Seeks First Amendment Rights for His Aerial Images
Drone photographer Michael Jones (above) has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting First Amendment protection for his aerial images.

A drone photographer is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to protect his aerial images with First Amendment Rights — in the same way as free speech.

On September 9, drone photographer and entrepreneur Michael Jones, who is based in Goldsboro, North Carolina, filed a petition of certiorari with the Supreme Court.

In his petition, the drone photographer is asking the Supreme Court to offer First Amendment protection for his aerial images.

Jones argues that the useful “data” and “information” that he provides clients in his aerial photographs qualify as free speech in the digital age and that state licensing boards do not have the authority to censor it.

Photographer and FAA-licensed drone operator Jones runs an aerial-mapping business in North Carolina, according to a press release by the Institute of Justice (IJ), the public interest law firm that is representing him.

Many landowners find a bird’s-eye perspective on their property useful in situations where they do not need a full-blown land survey and Jones’ aerial-mapping business provides a solution for this.

Jones takes aerial photographs of private property in North Carolina with the owners’ permission. He then uses publicly available digital tools to stitch the images together into high-definition maps for clients.

Fate of a Drone Photographer Lies With Supreme Court

Jones follows all safety and privacy laws with his drone photography. However, despite this, North Carolina’s surveying board has tried to crack down on Jones’ aerial business.

[embedded content]

In 2019, the North Carolina surveying board issued a cease-and-desist letter. The board ordered Michael to shut down his operations or face civil and criminal penalties.

In response, Michael sued the board, arguing that his aerial photographs and maps are forms of speech protected by the First Amendment. The photographer says that government cannot criminalize the communication of aerial photographs simply because of the “data” and “information” they contain.

Now, it is likely that state regulators will shut the drone photographer’s business down — unless the Supreme Court intervenes in his case.

In his petition filed this month, Jones is asking the Supreme Court to take up his case and protect the First Amendment rights for everyone who is simply providing information to willing customers.

“Drone technology may be new, but the principles at stake in Michael’s case are as old as the nation itself,” IJ Senior Attorney Sam Gedge.

“Taking photos and providing information to willing clients is speech, and it’s fully protected by the First Amendment.”

Prior to his petition with the Supreme Court, Jones’ case was rejected by the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in May this year. The court carved out the photographer’s creation of maps as “conduct,” not speech.

“When a government agency sends a cease-and-desist letter telling you to stop communicating photographs containing specific types of ‘data’ and ‘information,’ that’s a red flag that serious First Amendment interests are in play,” IJ Attorney James Knight argues.

“The Fourth Circuit’s ruling was badly flawed, and it spotlights the lower courts’ confusion about the power of licensing boards to censor speech.”
 


 
Image credits: All photos via the Institute of Justice

A drag queen doing her shopping: Sarah Bork’s best photograph

A drag queen doing her shopping: Sarah Bork’s best photograph

I started working on a series called Girls Gotta Eat in 2016. It was born out of anguish. A perfect storm had been brewing. My eldest child was getting ready to go to college and Trump was in office, beginning to wreak havoc on the US, particularly the minds of self-possessed, authority-questioning women. The #MeToo movement had gone viral and then a relative, an evangelical Christian, wrote on my Facebook wall: “Donald Trump and Harvey Weinstein are just two poor guys who have been maligned by the media, and the truth about their good character will be revealed.”

I was quaking with rage. How could this woman, so close to me in age and also the mother of two daughters, say something so blindly naive, something that she was so sure was correct? I tried to appeal but she was unreachable and uninterested. I realised I needed to turn my distress into something positive that might help me reach this woman and people like her.

Not long after, I was in a grocery store – my happy place – when I saw a couple who had really interesting and very different body types. They were being private in public, having a discussion about the cold cuts they each wanted for the week. One of them had eyebrows painted high on her forehead and four-inch long white fingernails. A clear thought came into my head: “Of course drag queens are in a grocery store – a girl’s gotta eat!” I asked if I could take their picture and they posed on the spot. It turned out they were not a couple, but friends who were legendary local drag performers here in Austin, Texas.

After I left, I kept wondering about the other things that might be in their grocery carts. I love connecting over food and self-care and I wanted to honour their humanness in a way that might be interesting to people like my conservative relative. So I began photographing drag performers grocery shopping and displaying each artist’s grocery list alongside their picture in the hope that people could begin to relate.

In my photographs, the drag performer is beautiful, dressed in a flamboyant way, yet is always doing something ordinary like reading the ingredients or weighing bananas. And it turns out a drag performer’s grocery list looks a lot like everyone else’s – scrawled on the back of an envelope or a sticky note with things like chicken breasts, baby spinach and Coke.

One of the things I didn’t anticipate when I started doing these shoots is how anxiety-inducing it can be to go out in public in drag. Most performers live outside the heteronormative binary, often identifying as gender fluid, trans or queer in some other way, and have experienced bullying, physical harm or even rejection from their families. In Texas in the last year, they have been the target of over 140 anti-drag or anti-trans bills. For many, just living their daily lives is a psychological drain, always being reminded they are different.

When I met Monica Monáe Davenport, who is in this picture, she was training to be a hair stylist by day and competing in drag competitions at night. The day we went to the grocery store was one of the first times she had been in drag outside during the day. We chose her closest store, which had wide aisles perfect for shooting and affordable prices so Monica could buy the groceries during her session.

Through this project I have discovered a whole new world in the town I have been living in for more than 20 years. My degree is in theatre, so in some ways it felt like a homecoming. I started photographing events in the drag community regularly and the performers collectively expressed gratitude for my work saying they felt “seen as people” and “many of us don’t have moms that see us the way you do”.

This project has changed my life. By redirecting my fury into curiosity, life outside heteronormative thinking has been revealed and I am proud to be encouraging acceptance. Action alleviates anguish. Groceries are groceries. Love is love. Other is us.

Sarah Bork’s CV

Born: 1965, Syosset, New York.
Trained: Theatre/psychology degree, Connecticut College, New London, CT.
Influences: Independent films of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Carol Burnett, Broadway Musicals, Annie Leibovitz, Elliott Erwitt, Helen Levitt and Cartier-Bresson.
High point: “Raising two wonderful women to be thoughtful, sensitive, strong-minded contributing adults.”
Low point: “As a wedding photographer I tripped over a shrub near the altar with all my equipment just as the bride and groom were about to walk down the aisle. It might be funny in the movie of my life but at the time it was mortifying.”
Top tip: “Become one with your equipment and take care of your body. It’s a strenuous job and I believe photographers use our whole body’s intuition to know when to push the button.”