Photography

EtherArts Photography Reveals Why Ghost Mannequin Photography Sells More Apparel Online And Amazon Than Any Other Style

EtherArts Photography Reveals Why Ghost Mannequin Photography Sells More Apparel Online And Amazon Than Any Other Style
Amazon product photography by EtherArts Photography showcasing product infographics for renewable print cartridges. The image features on Amazon seller central product listing

Amazon product infographics by EtherArts product photography done for FBA store selling renewable cartridges

Apparel photographer specializing in ghost mannequin photography service at low cost. Image showcases a scarf on ghost mannequin.

Ghost mannequin photographer offering ghost mannequin photography from $25

EtherArts photography of Lifestyle photography for soccer gloves done for FBA Seller central store.

Amazon photography for lifestyle imagery for soccer gloves. It is done as a part of complete Amazon Product photography listing photography package

EtherArts Product Photography offers the Best Ghost mannequin photography in Atlanta that improves the customer experience, and increases conversions and sales.

At EtherArts Photography, Ghost Mannequin Photography is the Art of Invisible Presence Making Products Look From Ethereal to Tangible”

— EtherArts Photography

TAMPA, GA, USA, July 6, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — It’s important to note that the effectiveness of photography styles can vary depending on the target audience, brand identity, and the specific product being showcased. While flat lay photography can have its own creative and artistic merits, considering the limitations in showcasing fit, design details, emotional connection, size and proportion, visual impact, and garment movement, it may not be the most optimal choice for maximising clothing sales in many cases.

1. Limited visualisation of fit: Flat lay photography often lacks the ability to showcase how a garment fits and drapes on the human body. It presents clothing items in a flattened position, which can make it challenging for customers to gauge how the garment will look on themselves. The lack of visualising the fit can lead to uncertainty and hesitancy in making a purchase.

2. Incomplete view of design details: Flat lay photography typically captures clothing items from a top-down perspective. This limited angle may not adequately highlight the design details, such as the shape of collars, cuffs, or the overall silhouette of the garment. Customers might miss out on important features that can impact their purchasing decisions.

3. Reduced emotional connection: Clothing purchases are often driven by emotional factors, such as desiring a certain style or feeling confident in a particular outfit. Flat lay photography may fail to evoke these emotions as it lacks the visual context of a person wearing the clothing. Seeing a garment on a flat surface may not create the same connection or inspiration as seeing it worn on a model or mannequin.

4. Difficulty in assessing size and proportion: Flat lay images alone may not provide enough information for customers to accurately assess the size and proportion of a garment. Understanding the dimensions and scale of clothing is crucial for customers to determine if it will suit their body type and personal preferences. The absence of a reference point can lead to uncertainty and potentially result in incorrect sizing choices.

5. Less engagement and visual impact: Compared to other styles of photography, such as ghost mannequin or model shots, flat lay images may have lower visual impact and engagement. Customers might be more inclined to click on or explore images that feature clothing worn by models or mannequins.

Ghost mannequin photography, also known as invisible mannequin photography, is crucial for e-commerce stores for several reasons:

Displaying product fit: Ghost mannequin photography allows customers to visualise how the clothing or apparel fits on a human body. By removing the visible mannequin or model from the image, it provides a clear view of the product’s shape, silhouette, and how it drapes on a person. This helps potential buyers make more informed decisions about size, style, and overall fit.

1. Realistic representation: Ghost mannequin photography provides the most accurate and lifelike representation of how a garment fits and drapes on the human body. It allows customers to visualise how the clothing will look on themselves, providing a clear understanding of the garment’s shape and proportions.

2. Focus on the clothing: By removing the distraction of a visible mannequin or model, ghost mannequin photography directs the viewer’s attention solely to the clothing itself. This technique highlights the garment’s design, fabric, and detailing, ensuring that customers can evaluate its quality and style without any additional elements overshadowing it.

3. Consistency across the catalog: Ghost mannequin photography ensures a consistent and standardised presentation of clothing items within a brand’s catalog or e-commerce platform. This consistency in style and format creates a cohesive visual experience for customers, allowing them to compare different products easily and make informed choices.

4. Versatility and flexibility: Ghost mannequin photography offers flexibility in showcasing different types of clothing, including tops, dresses, jackets, and accessories. It allows for capturing multiple angles and views of the garment, such as front, back, and side, providing customers with a comprehensive understanding of the product’s features.

5. Cost-effective solution: Compared to other methods such as live models or flat lay photography, ghost mannequin photography offers a more cost-effective solution. It eliminates the need for hiring models, arranging fittings, and dealing with scheduling conflicts. This efficiency enables brands to photograph a large volume of clothing items quickly and economically.

6. Adaptability for e-commerce: In the booming e-commerce industry, where customers rely solely on visual information, ghost mannequin photography becomes even more crucial. It allows online shoppers to have a clear representation of the clothing, giving them the confidence to make purchases without physically trying on the items.

7. Time-saving editing process: Ghost mannequin photography streamlines the post-production process. Once the images are captured, the mannequin can be digitally removed, saving time and effort in editing. This efficiency is particularly advantageous for brands with tight deadlines or those needing to update their product catalogs frequently.

While other photography techniques certainly have their merits, the realistic representation, focus on clothing, consistency, versatility, cost-effectiveness, adaptability for e-commerce, and time-saving editing process make ghost mannequin photography the most important and widely utilized method for showcasing garments. Its ability to provide customers with an accurate and immersive shopping experience contributes significantly to the success of fashion brands in today’s competitive market.

With more than a decade experience as Amazon Photographer, EtherArts Product Photography is highly recommended for Amazon listing photos.

Apparel Photographer EtherArts Photography offers this service from $25 per picture. They have served varied boutiques and Amazon apparel stores throughout the USA with their exceptional skills and fast turnaround time.

Aarti Rane
EtherArts Product Photography & Graphics
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The Renewed Urgency of Ernest Withers’s Photographs

The Renewed Urgency of Ernest Withers’s Photographs
Instead of desegregating the Memphis Zoo and allowing guests in regardless of race, one day out of the year was set aside for Black Americans to visit. Ernest C. Withers, “A sign outside the Memphis City Zoo” (ca. 1959), archival printed photograph, 22 x 26 inches (photo by Isabella Marie Garcia, courtesy Ten North Art Foundation, Opa-locka, Florida)

OPA-LOCKA, Fla. — Ernest Withers’s images are proof that Black people not only lead lives full of bravery and resilience, but also thrive during the most challenging of times. Flash Points: The Photography of Ernest Withers, curated by the Ten North Group and on view at the Arts & Recreation Center through August 31, showcases the breadth of Withers’s photographs —  from the Civil Rights movement in Memphis to his work documenting musicians as the official photographer for Stax Records for 20 years. His photos illustrate what makes image-making an extraordinary task: its potential to preserve history so that future generations know who they are and where they come from.

Loretta McNeir from Birmingham, Alabama, who attended the gallery opening on June 16, remembers being 17 years old, sitting in the colored-only waiting room at the doctor’s office for hours to be seen. After what seemed like an endless wait, she gained the courage to walk into the Whites-only waiting area and demanded to see the doctor, and she did. McNeir recalled her fearlessness as she admired the bravery of the subjects in Withers’s photos, and his courage.

Ernest C. Withers, “Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ralph Abernathy riding on the first desegregated bus, Montgomery, Alabama” (1956) (photo courtesy Ten North Group)

During the exhibition opening, Withers’s daughter, Rosalind Withers, and Joël Díaz, director of the Arts Foundation at Ten North Group, also spoke of Withers’s boldness. “There are some iconic people we [celebrate] every February, but on these walls, we hope to share things that you don’t know because there’s so much history to share,” said Rosalind, founder of the Withers Collection Museum and Gallery and trustee of the Dr. Ernest C. Withers Family Trust. The collection encompasses 1.8 million images taken by Ernest and many other photographs that she and her team have yet to sort through; 35 of them are on view in Opa-locka.

Withers’s images demonstrate that the Black history that Florida’s government is trying to ban students from learning is indisputable and factual.

Ernest C. Withers (photo courtesy Withers Collection Museum & Gallery)

Withers is often known as “the original Civil Rights photographer.” He was the only photographer to document the murder trial of Emmett Till in Mississippi; the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of African-American students who first integrated white Memphis schools in 1961; and Martin Luther King, Jr. riding the first desegregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1956. His most famous photograph, “I Am A Man,” was taken at the start of the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike on February 12, 1968, which resulted from two Black garbage collectors, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, being crushed to death by a malfunctioning truck two weeks earlier. Workers were striking for better and more equitable working conditions. The black-and-white photo shows a group of male sanitary workers in line holding signs that read “I Am A Man.” The march, which brought Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis, was his last before he died in the Tennessee city on April 4, 1968.

Withers first started experimenting with photography using his sister’s camera, but his true passion deepened in grade school. Though he was too young to be a photographer for the yearbook committee, he dared to walk up to his school’s auditorium stage and photograph Marva Trotter Louis, boxer Joe Louis’s wife, the Halle Berry of the day. He then developed the photo and handed it out at school. The image made him the most popular kid in the schoolyard. 

Ernest C. Withers, “Emmett Till’s uncle, Moses Wright and his friend in Mississippi” (c. 1955), archival printed photograph, 20 x 26 inches (photo by Isabella Marie Garcia, courtesy Ten North Art Foundation, Opa-locka, Florida)

In 1942, he joined the army and attended the Army School of Photography, which later led him to photograph White soldiers in Saipan, a United States-occupied Japanese island. He sent the cash back to his wife. When he returned from World War II, he used the money he got from the G.I. Bill to open a photo studio in his Memphis neighborhood with the slogan “Pictures Tell Stories.” The studio laid the foundation for his photography career in Memphis, earning him the respect of his community, earning him the trust of notable figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr.

But Withers also lived a secret life as an informant for the FBI since at least 1968. He met with agents to provide them with information ranging from insider details on upcoming protests to personal details of Civil Rights movement leaders. Many debate whether his work as an informant undermines the impact of his photos.

Ernest C. Withers, “Moses Wright points out the men who he saw take his nephew Emmett from his house, the last time Moses would see him before his murder. Sumner, Mississippi” (c. 1955), archival printed photograph, 22 1/2 x 22 1/2 inches (photo by Isabella Marie Garcia, courtesy Ten North Art Foundation, Opa-locka, Florida)

As I looked at Withers’s photo of Moses Wright, uncle of Emmett Till, on view as part of Flash Points, the bravery of both the subject and the photographer spoke more to me than this problematic aspect of his life. In the image, Wright, under threat of being lynched, stands up in the courtroom during Emmett Till’s trial to point to the White man he saw take his nephew from his house. After the judge warned that photography was not allowed in the courtroom, Withers placed his camera on the ground and captured a shot of Wright. This black-and-white image is the last time Wright was seen before his murder. Without Withers’s willingness to document this moment of courage, we would be missing an essential piece of Black history. Withers gave the photograph to Getty Images to run worldwide on the day of the trial; he only received credit for the image three years ago, according to Rosalind.

Installation view of Flash Points at the Arts & Recreation Center (photo by Isabella Marie Garcia, courtesy Ten North Art Foundation, Opa-locka, Florida)

The exhibition also includes a photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Reverend Ralph Abernathy sitting on one of Montgomery’s first desegregated buses in 1958. On view is an image of Dr. King standing up and holding his hands together, staring at the crowd preparing to speak in support of the Memphis Sanitation Strikers at Mason Temple in Memphis in 1968. Another photo portrays Ernie Banks, Larry Doby, and Jackie Robinson standing side-by-side outside a dugout at Martin Stadium in Memphis in 1953. An image of Ike Turner playing his guitar and Tina Turner singing at Club Paradise in 1962 — her shoulder covered in fresh bruises from blows delivered by Ike —  is placed with pictures of Elvis and BB King. Displayed is a photo of three of the Memphis 13 (Michael Wills, son of AW Wills; Harry Williams; and Dwania Kyles, daughter of Reverend Billy Kyles) smiling outside a car window on the first day they integrated Memphis elementary schools.

A photograph of the entrance to Overton Park Zoo with a sign that reads “No white people allowed in the zoo today” inspired Rosliand to move from her home in South Florida to Memphis to take over her father’s trust. She is now in charge of the more than a million photos her father took after he died in 2007. The picture captures the one day of the year when Black people were permitted in the zoo, which was when the animals got their cages cleaned, resulting in visitors being unable to view many of them. Black children and adults walk behind the sign in the photo’s background.

Rosalind Withers, Ernest Withers’s daughter and founder of the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, and Joël Díaz, the director of the Arts Foundation at Ten North Group, in conversation on June 16 (photo Briana Ellis-Gibbs/Hyperallergic)

“I was really torn. I wanted to stay in Florida. My husband was from the Bahamas, so we had a very nice life to take on something this serious and a lot to give up,” Rosliand told me. “So I went to my dad’s archive, and as I went through, it was overwhelming. But this one photograph just looked at me and just hit me in the forehead, and I said, ‘I have to do the right thing.’ They tell us every day that we don’t have a record of who we are. They don’t know that we exist, and here I have all of my history, 60 years of it.” 

Withers’s photographs, in the words of Rosalind, are truth and power. As Withers said in the PBS documentary The Picture Taker (2023): “You have to have your own vision.”

“You’ll have to have a sense of morality, honesty,” Withers continued. “Is it true? Does it hurt? What good does it do? Ain’t nobody can tell you your moral character. ‘Give you the qualities to be what you is and not what you ain’t,’ my father said that. Cause if you ain’t what you is, you is what you ain’t.”

July 12 Pagosa Springs Photography Club topic: ‘Learning to See Creatively’ | The Pagosa Springs SUN

July 12 Pagosa Springs Photography Club topic: ‘Learning to See Creatively’ | The Pagosa Springs SUN

By Gregg Heid | Pagosa Springs Photography Club

The July meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis St. 

The speaker this month will be Greg Holden. Holden’s topic will be “Learning to See Creatively.” 

Holden is a photographer from Longmont, Colo., who uses his photography to share with others how he sees the world. He enjoys creative photos of little scenes often overlooked by others rather than postcard landscapes. He often explores abandoned places and captures the details of the layers of paint and rust on a discarded automobile. 

Holden enjoys teaching others and sharing his passion for photography and speaks around his home in the greater Denver area, but also continues to speak and judge virtually at clubs throughout his former home in the Maryland and Virgina areas. 

In his presentation, Holden will discuss his approach for finding different viewpoints in common scenes and how he creates interesting abstract images by isolating a part of a scene. Whether it is iPhone photos taken in his kitchen or DSLR images from local parks, Holden’s photos will demonstrate that you do not have to travel to exotic locations or spend hours using software manipulation to make creative images.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with socializing, and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. After Holden’s presentation, club members may share and discuss up to five of their images with the group. 

This will be a hybrid meeting, both in-person and on Zoom, with Holden presenting remotely. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend may request the link by email to abutler@mac.com. Pagosa Springs Photography Club meetings are open to the public.

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club promotes educational, social and fun interactions between all who enjoy making and viewing great photography. The club sponsors educational programs and outings to help photographers hone their skills. We welcome photographers of all skill levels. 

Dues for 2023 are just $25 ($35 family). For more information about the club, and to download a membership application, visit https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .

Nature Photography Contest for Kids

Nature Photography Contest for Kids
Take the children out in nature this summer with a smart phone or camera and be amazed how much fun the family has together. Enter the free Southern exposures Nature Photography Contest for Kids by August 1, 2023 and attend the free Awards Ceremony on August 17, 2023 at Quinta Mazatlán in McAllen. Visit www.valleylandfund.com or follow Quinta Mazatlán on social media for more information. Courtesy Image

Texas Border Business

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This summer, spark children’s creativity and have them explore nature with the camera and/or smart phone.  Quinta Mazatlán and The Valley Land Fund are hosting the annual nature photography contest for kids, Southern Exposures. Photographs should have a nature or wildlife theme and must be taken in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The contest is open to anyone ages 5 to 18 and contestants can enter up to six images online at www.valleylandfund.com by August 1, 2023.  

Courtesy Image

“Observing and photographing nature is an enriching hobby that helps your child learn in nature,” states Colleen Hook, Director of Quinta Mazatlán.  

The free contest offers prizes for every child that enters, including a photo feature in the Award-Winning Exhibit plus a chance to win cash prizes. One of their images will be chosen for the exhibit, to showcase their talent, at the Awards Ceremony on August 17, 2023, at Quinta Mazatlán.  All youth contestants will receive a free t-shirt, goody-bag and recognition in the exhibit thanks to the generous support of The Valley Land Fund, Quinta Mazatlán-City of McAllen, H-E-B, Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, and AEP Texas.

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Courtesy Image

Parents, grandparents and friends can help foster a child’s love of nature and photography by taking them outdoors this summer in the backyard, neighborhood and/or visit a nature center.  “There is an amazing network of distinctly different nature and birding centers along the 120-mile historic river corridor in the Rio Grande Valley,” states Colleen Hook.  

Courtesy Image

Provide kids new outings to photograph nature and help them find out the name of the plant, animal, body of water, or other to make it even more educational.  For additional support, Quinta Mazatlán is offering photography classes for kids on Saturday mornings.  For more information, follow Quinta Mazatlán on social media, call 956-681-3370 or visit online at www.valleylandfund.com

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2023 Council Grounds State Park ninth annual photography contest

2023 Council Grounds State Park ninth annual photography contest

BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

This photo of a developing tadpole was entered into the Wildlife category in a previous year’s Friends of Council Grounds photography contest.

The Friends of Council Grounds State Park are again holding their ninth annual amateur photography contest in 2023, and they want to encourage visitors to Council Grounds State Park (CGSP), located just north of Merrill, to “come and enjoy the park and remember to bring a camera along and take photos for the contest.”
Park visitors in previous years have captured some wonderfully unexpected and candid images of animals in the park and people enjoying Council Grounds, as well as great images of plants and landscapes, to enter into the contest.

Rules
There is no cost to enter and the rules are few and easy to follow. All photos entered into this year’s contest must have been taken within the boundaries of Council Grounds State Park between Aug. 1, 2021, and July 31, 2023, (a two-year period), and each person can enter only one photograph, so pick your best image to enter. Professional photographers and anyone who sells their photos are not eligible.
Images must be in color, submitted as high resolution digital JPEG files, emailed to: [email protected], and may only be submitted between July 1 and July 31, 2023. Keep images at their original aspect ratio (don’t crop them into weird thin photos) for best results. No panoramic, digitally enhanced, or altered photos. Submit images that can be enlarged and clearly printed in an 8×10” format.
Photos can be submitted in one of four contest categories, so submit your photo in the best category for your photo’s subject matter.

Photo contest categories are:

  • Plants (includes wildflowers, trees, shrubs, fungi, berries, cones, etc.)
  • Wildlife (includes animals, birds, insects, etc.–anything found walking, crawling, hopping, or flying in CGSP.)
  • People using the park (includes people engaged in any activity in the park–walking, hiking, cooking, swimming, biking, fishing, exploring, just relaxing, etc.). (Please do NOT include photos with recognizable faces of people.)
  • Landscapes (includes broad scenes, sunsets, sunrises, rivers, etc., but remember, no panoramic images.)(This is the most popular category.)
    Each photo submitted must include:
  • Contest category
  • Date taken
  • Photographer’s name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number

By entering the contest, photographers verify the image is their own and agree to have their submitted photos used/copied/displayed/published (without fee or compensation) in conjunction with the contest, including in local publications, in articles relating to this or future contests; online at the Wisconsin Parks Website, on the Friends Facebook page, etc., and displayed in the Park contact station; on cards or postcards for sale by the Friends Group; and/or saved or re-used for any future purpose by the Friends of Council Grounds State Park group.
Any photo that does not comply with the contest rules, is not properly labeled, or is deemed inappropriate in any way by the Friends of Council Grounds State Park Board will be rejected.
Contest judges, DNR employees, and Friends Group members and their families are not eligible to enter.
Complete rules are available online at: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/councilgrounds/photocontest or on the Friends of Council Grounds State Park Facebook page. Copies of complete rules are also available at the Park office and in the entryway at the Merrill Chamber of Commerce office.

Judging
After July 31, a panel of judges from the Friends Group will narrow the entries down to the top three in each category. Photographer names will not be revealed to the judges. Any category with fewer than eight entries may be canceled.
The three finalist photos in each category will then go to public voting to determine the final first-and second-place winners in each category. Public voting will take place from Aug. 15 through Aug. 31, 2023. Finalist images may be viewed on the Friends of Council Grounds State Park Facebook page, at the Park contact station, and at the T.B. Scott Free Library in Merrill. The public will vote on their favorite single image on the Friends of Council Grounds State Park Facebook page or by emailing their vote for their favorite image to [email protected]. Only one vote per person. Duplicate votes will be eliminated.
Winners will be notified and announced in Sept. 2023.
First-place winners in each category will receive a 2024 Wisconsin State Park vehicle sticker. Second-place winners in each category will receive Council Grounds merchandise or a gift certificate valued up to $15.

This photo, though not a contest entry, is a colorful example of the kind of image that would make a great entry in the Plant category.

JRN and AllMarkOne Launch Inaugural Rowing Photography Awards

JRN and AllMarkOne Launch Inaugural Rowing Photography Awards

Are you the kind of person that sees the beauty in capturing the rowing stroke but have been hit by the post-Henley blues and need a challenge while you wait for the season to restart?

JRN and AllMarkOne are delighted to be joining forces to present the inaugural Rowing Photography Awards, showcasing the best imagery from both amateurs and professionals in the sport.

Entries open on 24 July, with the competition set to feature an array of fantastic prizes for the winners of the various categories, covering the spectrum of what makes rowing great to be a part of:

Championship Pair

  • Photo of the Year – The overall winner of the chosen photos from the “Top Four” categories.
  • Young Photographer – Selected from entries by photographers aged 16 and under in the “Top Four” categories.

Top Four

  • Landscape – Drawing on the world around the boat and the aesthetics that make rowing beautiful.
  • The “Big Ones” – Photos from the major events on the rowing calendar. The place for all your best shots from the likes of Henley Royal and Women’s, Head of the River, the Boat Race and World Rowing Events.
  • Keeping it Local – Capturing the atmosphere around the boathouse and showcasing the best from the country’s provincial head and regatta racing.
  • Art of the Catch – Anything from portraits and macro to art photography and multiple exposures. This is the time to be creative! 

Elite Single

  • Professional Portfolio – The ‘People’s Choice’ award voted for on the JRN website. This is the event for photographers that commercially sell their photos as well as the passionate amateurs to demonstrate their range and prowess from the riverbank or the launch with a portfolio of six-to-ten images.

Entries will be judged by the panel below:

  • Rory CruickshankAllMarkOne co-founder 
  • Ed EvansJRN Head of Operations
  • Aaron SimsPhotographer and RPA co-creator
  • Plus Special guest judges

Stay tuned to the JRN and AllMarkOne websites for more information on how to enter, as well as details on guest judges and prizes.

Powerful images from environmental photography prize show challenges and hope

Powerful images from environmental photography prize show challenges and hope

Editor’s Note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action.



CNN
 — 

A windswept Arctic fox, a murmuration of birds facing a snowstorm in the Himalayas, and a man and a boy in a flooded living room are among the images recognized in this year’s Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s Environmental Photography Award.

The prize, in its third edition, hopes to deliver a conservation message and show the importance of preserving nature. “Photography is a powerful tool for giving a voice to threatened wildlife and biodiversity,” said jury president Sergio Pitamitz in a press release.

The jury, made up of seven professional photographers, chose the winning photos for each category from a total of 10,000 images, submitted by 2,300 photographers from across the world.

The award’s grand prize went to an image of a distressed elephant trying to defend itself after being struck by a freight train in the Lopé National Park in Gabon, on the west coast of central Africa. The animal’s hip was shattered beyond repair and after it died, the park director distributed the meat amongst the local community.

The photograph serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of human-animal conflict, which is increasing due to habitat loss from human activities, such as agriculture and development. Photographer Jasper Doest from the Netherlands believes the image “has the power to inspire change.”

Pitamitz noted that this single elephant “represents his entire species in the grip of an uncertain future.”

“Doest was able to react in a split second to this sudden event, documenting his story and giving a voice to the forest elephants of Africa,” he added.

A photograph of elephants being transported between national parks in Malawi claimed first place in the “Change Makers: Reasons for Hope” category.

Other images show the positive elements of humans’ relationship with nature. In the “Change Makers: Reasons for Hope” category, one image shows elephants being lifted by a crane into a truck and transported from Liwonde National Park to Kasungu National Park, in Malawi, southeastern Africa. While the process looks peculiar, it’s part of a conservation initiative designed to maintain healthy habitats in the parks and establish stable and resilient elephant populations.

Another shows a fake rhino poaching scene at the Wildlife Forensics Academy in South Africa, as rangers are being taught to collect vital forensic evidence required to convict poachers in court.

The winning images are now being exhibited in Monaco on the Promenade du Lavotto, before touring internationally.

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Winning images from Environmental Photography Award show why we need to preserve nature

Winning images from Environmental Photography Award show why we need to preserve nature

A dog team is pictured racing through pools of water that have formed on top of melting sea ice during an evening run outside of Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, in June 2022. Typically, from late December until June, much of the water in this area is frozen. But as temperatures rise, the snow covering the ice melts, creating large pools of water that reveal the turquoise-blue ice beneath it.

Dustin Patar

Embracing the Dawn: 5 Reasons Why Sunrise Photography Outshines

Embracing the Dawn: 5 Reasons Why Sunrise Photography Outshines

The golden hour, a cherished time for photographers, offers breathtaking opportunities at both sunrise and sunset. While both moments provide stunning lighting conditions, there is something truly magical about sunrise photography. This article explores the top five reasons why sunrise photography shines brighter than its counterpart, sunset photography, why many choose to set their alarm at a ridiculous hour, leave their warm bed, and head out into the darkness with their camera bags packed with both certainty and uncertainty.

1. Serene and Undisturbed Atmosphere

Sunrise photography offers a serene and undisturbed atmosphere that is often unmatched by sunset. As the world awakens, the air is filled with tranquility and a sense of renewal. The stillness of the morning allows photographers to connect with nature on a deeper level, capturing moments of solitude and tranquility that can be difficult to replicate during the busier hours of the day. Additionally, you will most likely have the entire location to yourself, unless, of course, it is a popular destination for photography. Taking a moment to reflect and listen to the dawn chorus of birds and relax during this time can be very rewarding,  and all of this happens before the majority of the world even rises from their beds. Fortune favors the brave, so set your alarm, leave your warm bed, and get out into the outdoors to start your day on the right foot. 

2. Unique Lighting Conditions

The quality of light during sunrise is distinct and ethereal. The gentle, soft hues of dawn bathe the landscape with a delicate glow, casting long and diffused shadows. The angle of the sun during this time creates a dreamlike atmosphere, lending a sense of mystery and intrigue to your images. The unique lighting conditions of sunrise allow for more creative compositions and the chance to capture truly captivating and evocative photographs. Getting on location well before sunrise can often yield some of the best light, it is after all the light from the sun that catches the clouds and mountains long before the sun itself makes its appearance.

3. Dynamic Skies and Color Palette

Sunrise often presents a spectacular display of colors in the sky, with vivid hues ranging from soft pastels to fiery oranges and reds. The early morning atmosphere is conducive to dramatic cloud formations and breathtaking skies, adding a sense of drama and depth to your images. The ever-changing canvas of the morning sky provides endless opportunities for creating compelling and awe-inspiring compositions. The best color can often occur well before sunrise, so bear this in mind when planning your shoot. Don’t rock up a couple of minutes before the sun is due to pop its head over the horizon. Instead, be there, camera in hand or on a tripod to see what delights occur before it all kicks off.

4. Solitary Reflections

One of the remarkable aspects of sunrise photography is the potential for capturing mirror-like reflections. As the sun rises, bodies of water transform into calm and reflective surfaces, creating stunning symmetry and adding a touch of magic to your images. The serene and undisturbed nature of the morning allows for pristine reflections that add a sense of tranquility and visual interest to your photographs. Even though the light will be very diminished before the sun rises, it is when it does and for the next period of time afterwards that you can be rewarded with the soft glow, reflecting off of your flat water to give you some memorable photographs and experiences. 

5. Capturing First Light

There is a special allure in capturing the first light of the day. The subtle, warm glow as the sun peeks over the horizon signifies new beginnings and promises endless possibilities. Sunrise photography allows you to be a witness to this magical moment, capturing the fleeting beauty and ethereal quality that can only be found at dawn. The sense of anticipation and the thrill of capturing the first rays of light make sunrise photography an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Unlike sunset, you then have the opportunity for a more relaxed photoshoot and can more often than not find some new compositions as the light rises and dances across your subjects, instead of rushing around like we have to do at sunset before the light eventually fades.

While both sunrise and sunset photography offer unique opportunities, sunrise photography holds a special place in the hearts of many photographers. The serene atmosphere, unique lighting conditions, dynamic skies, solitary reflections, and the privilege of capturing first light are just a few reasons why sunrise photography shines brighter than its sunset counterpart. Embrace the dawn, and allow its magical qualities to inspire your photography, capturing breathtaking images that evoke emotion and showcase the beauty of the world awakening. It is advisable to visit your intended location beforehand when you have daylight, to ensure you know where you can and cannot walk and what potential compositions opportunities or even challenges await. This is far easier to do in advance rather than with a head torch in the dark before dawn.

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