We all want to be better photographers, but rarely is the path to accomplishing that plainly obvious, and it can be easy to make unconscious mistakes that stop us from reaching the next level. If you feel like you are a bit stuck in a rut, check out this insightful video essay that features an experienced photographer discussing five common reasons photographers fail to improve and how to break free and take the next step forward. 

Coming to you from Alister Benn of Expressive Photography, this excellent video essay discusses five common reasons why photographers fail to improve. One that I think we can be particularly prone to these days is becoming overly reliant on external validation. Of course, if you are a professional, you need to be concerned with what clients think. However, if you do photography for your own enjoyment, the only person whose approval you need to be concerned with is yourself. Seeking external validation will only lead you to constantly chase trends and to try to craft your imagery to maximize ultimately meaningless things like Instagram likes, which, in turn, will lead your unique creative voice falling by the wayside, which is a shame, especially since exploring that voice is why most of us picked up a camera in the first place. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Benn. 

New York City’s full of renowned museums, but if you’re on a budget, the admission price can feel a bit daunting. The good news is: If Fotografiska’s been on your list, you can get in for a fraction of the price on Saturday, August 19. 

The discounted admission is offered as a part of the photography museum’s World Photography Day celebrations. Tickets are now on sale for just $8 (regular admission is typically $30, so it’s a great deal). Get tickets in advance here; a limited quantity of walk-in tickets will be available at the door.

RECOMMENDED: All the free museums days in NYC you should know about

On your visit, you’ll get to explore floor after floor of stunning photography. Right now, the museum’s showing the first New York retrospective of British photographer Terry O’Neill who photographed stars including Audrey Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger and Elvis Presley. He’s the one who took that iconic portrait of Brigitte Bardot with a cigarette that you’ve definitely seen. Plus, see a presentation with artist-led organization For Freedoms, featuring works by Hank Willis Thomas, Cassils, Maia Ruth Lee and more. 

Located in the Flatiron District, Fotografiska aims to inspire a more conscious world through the power of photography. The Museum produces a broad range of rotating exhibitions featuring the world’s greatest photographers — both world-renowned artists and rising stars. Genres include conceptual, landscape, portrait and documentary. 

Also while you’re there, buy a drink in the cafe to sip while you walk through the museum. If you’ve got extra time, make a reservation at the museum’s acclaimed Bar Verōnika and the Chapel Bar speakeasy, a feast for the eyes as much as the stomach.

If you share a photo of your visit on social media (using the hashtag #WorldFotoDay), you could get a chance to win a free Collector+ museum membership ($349 value). Additionally, if you spend more than $40 at the museum’s shop, you’ll get a free poster ($40 value).

The museum will be open from 9am to 11pm on Saturday, August 19, so there’s plenty of time to explore. By the way, every weekend, the museum is open until 11pm making for a super fun late-night activity (here are other NYC museums that stay open late). 

For more World Photography Day fun on August 19, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is opening the doors early for a special sunrise viewing event 91 stories high. Visitors can purchase the one-time package which includes access to all three SUMMIT floors during the morning golden hour, beginning at 5am, plus complimentary coffee and pastries. The sunrise will illuminate SUMMIT’s 1,215 mirrors and glass sky boxes 1,100 above the streets of Manhattan creating unrivaled skyline views and perfect photo opps—your Instagram grid will thank you.

SUMMIT’s World Photography Day admission costs $89/person; tickets are on sale here and include Fotografiska admission.

A photographer has shone a light on the “underwhelming” pay sometimes offered by huge fashion magazines after revealing she was paid $300 by Vogue for a full day’s shoot and edit.

Roxy Face from O’ahu, Hawaii, posted the email that was apparently sent to her in March this year in which Vogue Polska asks for a “short fashion film” with the last line reading: “Since we’re working with an editorial budget, we can offer 300 USD for filming.”

Facer divulged the information on her TikTok page and it sparked a debate over how much photographers should get paid.

In a further video, that has surpassed five million views, Facer posted: “Vogue calling asking me to remove the video I made revealing how much they paid me for a full day shoot.” Alluding that the fashion giant is allegedly asking her to take the video down.

But Facer remains defiant, even posting a third video with the caption: “You really think sharing rates from Vogue and getting blacklisted is good for business.”

Most of the comments on Facer’s TikTok were supportive of the photographer. “They should be embarrassed! Keep up the great work and self-advocacy!!” Writes one TikTok user.

Plenty lauded Facer for her “transparency” and for standing up to Vogue. “Don’t let them do you like that anymore,” writes Jericho Rell. “‘They’ have been doing this all creatives for way too long. That’s insane.”

However, not everyone felt sympathy for Facer. Someone suggested that $300 “seems fair” but that received a huge pushback from a community of creatives attempting to educate that person on what it takes to make it as a photographer.

Others pointed out that perhaps the rate was low because it was Vogue Polska commissioning her. But even Polish people in the comments jumpoed in to say that $300 is low in that part of Eastern Europe.

In another TikTok video, Facer later explained that she has three factors that she looks for before accepting a job. The first is the budget, the second is whether the job will add to her portfolio, and third is networking opportunities.

Facer says that networking is “probably the most important” because of the potential to meet people who will get her more work in the future. Facer explains that “like 80% of my work is just from referrals.”

Facer appears to shoot more video than stills and specializes in working with film; specifically 8mm and 16mm.

Existing dually as a historical document and an artwork, new photography book These Americans by Will Vogt is an escape into the delirious excesses of the USA’s upper class, between 1969 and 1996. These dancing, hunting, and kissing characters are all completely unguarded in front of Vogt’s camera – because he is one of them; they are his family and friends.

Vogt explains of the book, published by Schilt Publishing, ‘It is about my life and the major themes within, the spaces I’ve inhabited and the people I’ve known. But of course, it’s also about a certain time and class in America.’ A time of Ayn Rand (the philosopher behind Objectivism, which places man’s ‘own happiness as the moral purpose of his life’), and Reaganomics.

What’s most striking to an outside viewer is how Vogt’s photographs can be read interchangeably as vernacular snapshots or as tableaux – either way, they are images all about leisure in its most boundless form.

Though we can hold critiques for hedonism and privilege, ultimately, as an audience, we are still always fascinated by windows into this world. The privileged are routinely caricatured in film and fiction, as novelist Jay McInerney notes in his sharp essay for the book, but Vogt’s images are the real deal. That suited man really is snoring on a private jet, oral sex really is happening under the table at a dinner party, that deer carcass really is strung from a helicopter, and the woman with the diamond bracelet and equally shiny blow-dry really is cutting lines of cocaine.

McInerney goes on to write: ‘(Vogt) knows what they’re thinking and he knows that it may not be pretty. He knows who’s fucking whom, who cheats at golf, who starts drinking at 11 in the morning. But he’ll take them as they are. They’re his people. And he shows them to us in a way that no one else has.’ 

It’s this brazen lack of self-consciousness that creates such a draw here, a decadent, and possibly delusional, cocktail of freedom and excess.

These Americans, photographs by Will Vogt, introduction by Jay McInerney, available in bookstores and online, $50/€50/£45, Schilt Publishing, schiltpublishing.com

Also available from amazon.co.uk

Landscape photography is a challenging but rewarding genre, and with all the time and effort it can take to get to a location, it is worth considering the approach you take once you are there to ensure you come away with as many great photos as possible. The insightful video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the philosophy that helps him to consistently produce worthwhile images. 

Coming to you from Christian Irmler – Landscape Photography, this excellent video tutorial discusses the idea of intentionally photographing locations from new perspectives by letting the light guide you and focusing on meaningful compositions over staying rigidly guided by common compositional rules. No doubt, those compositional rules can be useful, but they should be treated more as heuristics than hard and fast laws. And of course, at the end of the day, light rules all, which is why it is so important to always read and think about the light and be willing to adjust as needed. Staying flexible can often yield better and even unexpected images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Irmler.

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

We seem to be heated all throughout the country weather-wise. It’s time to take shelter with the air conditioner when it gets this hot (we’ve been in the 100s). Landscape and wildlife photography take a bit of a back seat. What to do, what to do with my camera while indoors? I’m going to pen a few articles with some ideas. Here’s the first one on water droplet photography.

Water droplet photography

Water droplet photography is ideal when you’re stuck indoors. Go to your local framer and ask for a sheet of picture frame glass. A 16×20 inch is a good size. I have a 20×30-inch piece I use. If you don’t want to buy a specific piece of glass for this you can take down a frame from your wall and ‘borrow’ the glass for your project. You can support a piece of glass with a couple of boxes. Make sure the glass is level so your water drops don’t run away from you. It’s important that the glass is treated properly.

Rain X

Part of the secret to good-looking droplets is treating your glass with Rain X. Rain X is helps make water run off car windshields quickly. It has the added benefit of making the water bead up on the glass, making the shape better for recording subjects in the droplets. Follow the directions to spray on the glass, wipe off and polish dry. Then, wait at least a half-hour before allowing the surface to become wet. Note that Rain X is volatile , so make sure your space has proper ventilation or treat your glass outdoors.

Spray bottle

You might want to employ a spray bottle to wet the glass. It’s a tip I learned the hard way. Fill your bottle a day or two before you have your photo session. If you fill up the bottle from the tap and start to use it right away you could end up with tiny air bubbles in your water drops. That caused me to do a fair amount of unnecessary retouching on one of my projects. Not sure if maybe you started with distilled water rather than getting it from the faucet this problem might not rear its ugly head.

Alternate drops

After playing with the spray bottle with straight water I tried a mixture of glycerin and water. I used distilled water mixed 50/50. The mixture was placed in a dropper bottle. The dropper allows for placing drops exactly where you want them. With the combination of glycerin and water placed on the Rain X treated glass my water drops held their shape.

Subject matter

Anything colorful will make for some cool shapes and patterns. This is one of those projects where you start with flowers as the natural first subjects and start experimenting with anything that will fit under the glass. I raided my fruit drawer and used various combinations of fruit.

Camera setup

You can handhold your camera and lens. I find more control when mounted especially if you want to increase the depth of field by using focus stacking. For me, the camera works best when directly over the water drops. It’s also helpful if using a macro lens and trying to accomplish some focus stacking as part of your capture process. See the photo for my set and description of gear. Camera Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III with a 60mm macro lens.

Yours in Creative Photography,

Bob

P.S. This is a good project when it’s too cold to venture forth as well!

Francesco Saverio Tani’s work is all about pushing the boundaries of the human form. Working in the mediums of photography and Photoshop, his work is always sure to have an uncanny twist. Based in Milan, Francesco often calls upon memories and rich imagery associated with his childhood for inspiration; enchanting fairy tales; kitschy trinkets in his grandmothers’ houses; toys and illustrations; meme culture; the lasting allure of Disney’s animated classics – creating surreal entities that exude irony.

Much of Francesco’s imagery deals with both the familiar and uncanny all in one image, so it’s no wonder that at first glance his imagery can feel quite unsettling. “I see-saw between taking myself seriously and embracing fun and nonsense,” he tells us. Balancing both the ridiculous and a dedicated artistic process that puts the human form through a metamorphosis of sorts, makes for a captivating union that never fails to rope us in.

Recent reports state that the underwater camera market is set to have an approximate market value of USD 6 billion. And for this very specialized genre of photography, the valuation is expected to hit close to $13.3B at the turn of the next decade. We look at what factors are contributing to the rise of underwater photography globally and speak to some photographers who are experts in this genre.

Post-Covid Surge In Underwater Photography

According to Transparency Market Research Inc, the underwater photography genre is set to steadily grow for the next decade. This surge in popularity of underwater cameras can be attributed, in part, to the rise in tourism witnessed. With the easing of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, holiday resorts have resumed operations, fueling a global interest in adventure tourism and underwater sports. Holidaymakers have begun to spend in droves, with many families opting for expensive holidays to beat their lockdown blues. This trend, colloquially referred to as “revenge tourism,” continues to persist even a year after most countries lifted their lockdown measures. Call it what you may, the heightened demand for luxurious getaways has resulted in a notable increase in the sales and rentals of underwater cameras. This is more prominent in the Latin American and Asia Pacific tourism sectors.

Social Media Plays A Part

Photographer Javi Garcia feels that social media has also played a large part in contributing to this increase. “Nowadays, the use of all these apps gives people more access to underwater images, and this makes the interest in this type of photography grow, as it happens with aerial photography with drones or other styles of photography,” Javi tells us. “Another reason, I believe, is the increased awareness of the problems facing our oceans. This makes many more people want to get involved in telling stories, showing the beauty or denouncing situations related to our seas and oceans, which increases the interest in underwater photography.”

He recently also upgraded all his underwater photography equipment, as he wanted to photograph at much greater depths than before. Javi now understands the increasing competition in this sector and keeps on his toes. “I have always believed that competition is good for any type of work,” he tells us. “This makes you not be satisfied, and always keep in mind the importance of innovating, to keep learning, and to grow as a professional as the market evolves. Every professional has a great advantage over any amateur. He continued to say that it’s all about the experience — and that it’s a huge difference maker.”

Professionals must know how to use their experience as the world evolves

Javi Garcia

Mirrorless Cameras Increasing In Usage Under Water

Action cameras like the GoPro series and 360 variants like the Insta 360 have always been popular among vloggers. Their all-weather resistance also endears them among travelers with basic photography skills. Underwater photography has also gained traction on social media channels such as Instagram and Tiktok, fuelling increased demand for capable cameras. While smartphones have improved their image quality in leaps and bounds over the last decade, we did note earlier this year that there was still room for more dedicated underwater cameras.

Superior to their inexpensive dedicated underwater counterparts, mirrorless cameras offer distinct advantages due to their larger sensors and higher image quality in aquatic environments. Coupled with the right kind of underwater housing, these cameras can produce far better results under the ocean’s surface than action cameras or smartphones can. Additionally, mirrorless cameras exhibit faster autofocus capabilities compared to DSLR models and more compact and portable designs. As a result, photography enthusiasts among prosumer divers lean towards mirrorless cameras over the bulkier and slower DSLRs.

What Countries Are Driving The Demand For Underwater Photography?

Blueweave Consulting reports that North America currently holds the highest share of underwater cameras. Asia Pacific has positioned itself as the fastest-growing region, thanks to increased spending power in countries like India and China. By the end of this decade, it’s also expected to supersede North America in the lead.

Sea waters are clear in Maldives, Indonesia, and Mauritius. These perennial holiday spots have clear waters all year round. Photography during activities like snorkeling and deep-sea diving is easier than ever before at holiday resorts in these places.

A surge in tourism, combined with the increasing presence of travel influencers in the post-pandemic era, has sparked new trends. More influencers are looking to create distinct and visually appealing perspective content, to fight the ever-changing algorithms of social media. This has not gone unnoticed by tour companies and tourism boards. Many are now teaming up with influencers to create distinct promotional material beyond conventional travel imagery. Capturing the beauty and fragility of underwater environments helps evoke empathy and inspire action to protect these delicate ecosystems.

More Rental Companies

Of course, specialist underwater cameras are anything but cheap. But the rise in camera rental companies catering to this segment has already increased, according to Research and Markets. This makes sense for amateur photographers not wanting to invest in buying their own cameras but still looking to create stunning images from their holidays and undersea adventures. The ability to rent better cameras without investing in them also provides travel influencers more flexibility in covering various projects. The same also holds true for professional photographers in other genres of photography. They don’t necessarily do underwater photography as their main line of work but may need to occasionally dabble in it, depending on the client’s needs.

Regions with popular diving and snorkeling destinations, and notable underwater ecosystems, are more likely to have more underwater camera and accessory rental companies in the region.

Photographer and tech innovator Michael Andrews knows the costs of dedicating oneself to underwater photography. “The learning (and expense) curve is steep to get into underwater photography,” Michael tells me. “You would likely need to commit $5-$8,000 minimum for a decent setup (possibly more), and this is not including the camera and lenses. You probably need a good 15-20 dives with the new gear just to get the hang of it and really to flourish, but it’s better if these are in different places (more variety).” He also rightly points out the technical challenges that arise underwater. “There are all kinds of lighting problems (red light disappears after just a few feet). It can be murky; you have to go through a whole process to get your camera in a housing, you are committed to one lens, etc.”

Not every amatuer will be able to just pick up a camera and get into it. It really takes commitment and is expensive

Michael Andrews

The Rise Of Underwater Drones

Believe it or not, drones aren’t limited to aerial photography. The underwater photography segment has seen many independent players looking to release drones for photographers. Kickstarter alone has seen more than a handful of campaigns for these specialist cameras in the last 5 years. They’ve all been successfully backed, with one getting over USD $800,000 in backing. We don’t have any word on the efficacy of their claims. But judging from the comments on some of those campaigns, there appear to be many satisfied backers.

The convenience of such drones also means that you don’t need to get yourself wet to use them. With wired and wireless tethering, you can photograph ocean life like never before. The best part is even those who can’t swim can now give photographing life under the waves a shot.

However, the significance of underwater cameras extends beyond the realm of enthusiasts. The applications of these devices have a vast range of professional uses. Fisheries, governmental research bodies, and educational centers are among the many entities that can leverage underwater cameras to serve their needs. From monitoring marine ecosystems to conducting crucial scientific studies, these cameras play a pivotal role in unlocking the mysteries of the underwater world.

Popular Underwater Cameras

Tiina Törmänen is one of the more experienced underwater photographers we’ve featured on our site. She notes that smaller action cameras are top-rated among amateur photographers. “Today’s action cameras are very good, like the GoPro 11. It has good image quality, not too high a price, and is easy to use,” Tiina says about this line of cameras that can be used underwater. “Cameras like this can lower the starting point to enter the world of exploring underwater.”

I asked Tiina what she thought about underwater drones and if she felt their usage by non-professionals would dent the market for those experienced in this. “I don’t see this being an issue,” she admits. “The underwater world is much more demanding. Even if you can use underwater drones, it is easier for people with diving experience to understand the world beneath.” Tiina thinks that what she calls only good divers can really master underwater photography.

You need to spend time out there [underwater] to understand how to get the best footage. It sounds easier than it is. But ocean conditions can be very demanding and cold water diving is also another story. To be a good diver is not easy; it is not like going to a course and buying a camera

Tiina Törmänen

After a quick search on Flickr, it becomes evident that a substantial presence of compact cameras is being utilized underwater. Curiously, the majority of these cameras lack official underwater ratings. Such photographers appear to have invested in underwater casings and housings for their equipment.

The Future Of Underwater Photography

As travel continues to grow, we can hope and pray that the economies of the world surpass pre-pandemic levels. The rise of the underwater photography market also presents promising prospects for camera and accessory manufacturers within the industry. It may be a while before the leading brands offer dedicated full-frame or even APS-C sensor underwater cameras. But given the direction that this sector is heading in, the introduction of such cameras in the next 5 years shouldn’t come as a shock to industry observers. The increase in rental companies has also made it more accessible to first-time underwater photographers, allowing them to dive in (pun intended) to explore a genre previously possibly well out of reach.

FCB Kinnect and vivo introduce [X-Lens], an exciting reality content venture on Disney + Hotstar, marking vivo India’s first foray into this domain. [X-Lens] is designed to elevate the [vivo X90 Series] as the ultimate device for ‘Extreme Expression’ in the premium phone category while fostering a passionate community of loyal photography enthusiasts who will evangelise the brand product.

The two-fold objective behind the campaign is to position the ‘vivo X90 Series’ at the forefront of the premium phone market, demonstrating its superior photographic capabilities, and to create a vibrant community of photography enthusiasts who would champion our brand. FCB Kinnect has conceptualised the campaign.

Hosted by the charismatic Keith Sequiera and featuring some of India’s top photography talent as judges, [X-Lens] follows a competitive reality show format where photography enthusiasts compete for the coveted title of [Vivographer]. The esteemed Vivographer will be a brand ambassador for vivo’s flagship devices, embodying the spirit of ‘Extreme Expression’ in their photographic endeavours.

Participants on [X-Lens] undergo a series of thrilling challenges, pushing the boundaries of creativity, and exploring the remarkable features of the vivo X90 Pro camera. Brave contestants venture into diverse and demanding conditions, aiming to capture the most exceptional photographs that exemplify ‘Extreme Imagination.’ As these skilled photographers embark on their journey, the vivo X90 Pro is a worthy partner, showcasing its prowess as a high-performance tool capable of capturing stunning imagery even under challenging circumstances.

Speaking on the campaign’s launch, Chandni Shah, COO of FCB Kinnect, said, ““X-Lens is vivo’s first foray into reality content and OTT content on Disney + Hotstar. When X-Lens was conceptualised, the intent was to showcase the incredible capability of the device and its ability to perform under extreme conditions. Packaged with a ‘reality show’ format that creates extreme viewability and resonance among our relevant audience, this exceptional partnership between FCB Kinnect and vivo has resulted in an enthralling reality show that delivers top-tier entertainment and beautifully showcases the true essence of the vivo X90 Series.”

Commenting on the unique campaign, Geetaj Channana, head, corporate strategy, vivo India said, “vivo’s X series has set new benchmarks when it comes to photography capability of a smartphone. All our X series smartphones launched so far received phenomenal response from consumers. Hence, we wanted to create something unique that showcased advance camera capabilities of X90 series under extreme conditions.

We are excited to collaborate with Disney + Hotstar for this captivating reality show format that creates extreme viewability and resonance among our relevant audience, and we are confident of strong audience interaction.”

Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen in collaboration with collector He Meng, presents an immersive Sky Art Photography Exhibition. From now until August 31, guests at the hotel’s Executive Lounge on 78th floor can enjoy a captivating showcase of He Meng’s collected works, featuring Western celebrity portraits by American photographer Joe Hahn, alongside Eastern celebrity portraits by renowned Hong Kong photographer Zhang Wenhua. The exhibition showcases the distinct styles and charms of contemporary Eastern and Western photography, complemented by the immersive experience of antique aesthetics.

The exhibition incorporates He Meng’s treasured European antique furniture, adding a visual artistry. Passionate about promoting art and culture, He Meng has collected numerous precious Eastern and Western artworks and antique furnitures over the years. The Italian antique furniture takes viewers on a unique visual feast, harmonizing with the photography’s play of light and shadow, creating unforgettable artistic experiences.

During the opening ceremony, the exhibition also features captivating jewelry reflections, jointly presented by Italian craftsmen and luxury jewelry brand POMELLATO, blending avant-garde modernism with exquisite collectible style, inspired by European art aesthetics, injecting charming collectible allure into the exhibition.

In addition to experiencing the exhibition’s unique charm, Executive Floor guests can enjoy exclusive Mandarin Oriental Club benefits, including personalized check-in and check-out at the exclusive counter, three complimentary laundry services daily, two hours of daily complimentary access to the Mandarin Oriental Club meeting room, and all-day continuous supply of coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks. For dining, the Mandarin Oriental Club offers a range of delectable breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktail services, providing guests with unforgettable and extraordinary moments during their stay.

[All images provided to That’s]