Street photographer Anthimos Ntagkas is always on the lookout for an interesting scene. With a keen eye for observation, Ntagkas is able to capture small, humorous coincidences that most of us overlook. From people unknowingly mimicking a nearby mural to a man’s bird tattoo appearing in the sky, these charming scenes are immortalized for eternity thanks to Ntagkas.

While he used to wait at his favorite locations for people to pass by, Ntagkas’ creative process changed over time. And, thanks to that change, he’s opened himself up to even more creative possibilities.

“Nowadays, I don’t choose the place, but I make every location work for me,” he tells My Modern Met. “I combine people with elements everywhere I stand. Luckily the themes in this type of photography are endless, and I never lose interest.”

Ntagkas is always pushing himself to do something different with his work. And through his street photography, he’s found the perfect creative outlet.

“It is not only capturing the moment and the people in the streets,” Ntagkas explains, “but you also have to be an artistic director in order to combine people and elements in a fascinating perspective.”

Anthimos Ntagkas is known for his creative street photography.

All about life’s little coincidences, his images often reveal the humor that happens when odd situations align.

His candid photos demonstrate his wit and humor, as well as his photography prowess.

“It is not only capturing the moment and the people in the streets, but you also have to be an artistic director in order to combine people and elements in a fascinating perspective.”

Anthimos Ntagkas: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Anthimos Ntagkas.

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Street Photographer Captures Serendipitous Moments That Go Unnoticed on City Sidewalks

… a few days ago I got an email with photos from a friend on the east coast recounting the days that he and friends spent slope soaring RC gliders at Cape Cod … well, I never did Cape Cod, but I did fly RC gliders on the bluffs overlooking the Santa Ana River and the beautiful Huntington Beach, beaches and the Pacific Ocean.

I wanted to send Dick a few photos of those days so I have been combing old and forgotten folders with scans from those days … time got away from me so the length of the search has determined what will go out tonight. I always wanted to be a pilot, but those days were not here then … I was busy running the family business and going to law school at night as well as coaching the Costa Mesa Synchro Sylphs synchronized swim team which Corky and I along with several other parents had formed. Flying the RC gliders was a great way of releasing stress and enjoying the days on the slopes.

In the top photo all was going well … Corky and I had smiles on our faces and my sailplane was performing as it should … then I brought it in for a landing and when slope flying that can be a bit of a trick with rotor type air behind the bluff face. The photo below shows my beautiful glider in a somewhat disassembled state after a crash landing … fortunately my crew was there to give comfort and aid … what fun.

Tomorrow night some of the photos doing slope soaring in the real thing … that started at the other end of my career.

Last below, a photo of Corky that I found and have spent time working it up … it was taken back in the mid to late 80’s on a ferry to Denmark from Germany. We were with good friends and business partners. Fun times … also fun to re-work old photos and colorize them.

Have a beautiful day and smile … we are here and breathing!

Cheers,

Ted

To-morrow, O to-morrow!
Fast fall the fading years. A thought, a dream
Of gentle words; of faith and love a theme;
A smile, a step or two, and all is done.
Quick is the veering stream of life full run;
Yet in the crimson west still gleam
To-morrow and to-morrow’s endless dream.

excerpt from To-morrow by Max Ehrmann

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The easiest way to reach Mr. Grussing is by email: ted@tedgrussing.com

In addition to sales of photographs already taken Ted does special shoots for patrons on request and also does air-to-air photography for those who want photographs of their airplanes in flight. All special photographic sessions are billed on an hourly basis.

Ted also does one-on-one workshops for those interested in learning the techniques he uses.  By special arrangement Ted will do one-on-one aerial photography workshops which will include actual photo sessions in the air.

More about Ted Grussing …

In today’s fast-paced and digitized world, finding solace and maintaining good mental health has become crucial. There are many ways one can find an escape from it all, and one of those is the powerful ally of photography. Beyond being a mere hobby or artistic expression, photography can have numerous benefits for mental well-being. Engaging with photography can have a positive impact on a person’s state of mind, providing them with a creative outlet, promoting mindfulness, fostering self-expression, and connecting them with their surroundings. 

Today’s world seems to be growing louder and moving faster. It’s easy to fall into the trap of the daily routines that, at times, sees us forgetting what we enjoy. There’s now this mindset of hustling. Thanks to numerous social media types, the idea of “work, work” is glorified, with one’s mental health being sacrificed. Hard work is something we need to do in order to live the life we seek. But at what cost?

Oh, that cost is what makes you who you are if you’re not careful. You’re a photographer. You picked up a camera because it’s something you enjoy. It’s something that grounds you. It’s something that gives you a voice. Does life get in the way sometimes? Yes. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on what you find peace in. Photographer Lucy Lumen goes on to discuss the benefits of photography being that much-needed positive influence on your life. She goes on to talk about how photography offers you the ability to be creative, cutting down on consumption of content, exercising as you walk around with your camera out in the world, belonging to a community, and the ability to practice mindfulness. 

These concepts are easy to write down or talk about. However, putting it into practice isn’t always so easy. We’re all on our own journey, so maybe going out and making photographs, even one meaningful photograph, can be that first step towards that light at the end of the tunnel. Speaking for myself, photography offers me a chance to silence the noise in my life. For me, it’s therapeutic. 

Through the act of capturing images, individuals can find solace, express themselves creatively, and cultivate mindfulness. Whether it is through a professional camera or a smartphone, photography is a versatile tool that has the potential to transform lives and nurture mental well-being. So, keep picking up a camera and embark on a journey of self-discovery, connection, and healing. Remember, we all have a finite amount of trips around the Sun. Life gets difficult. Life gets stressful. But make time for yourself. Pick up that camera, and go have some fun. 

A photographer has digitally reversed the cruel practice of ear cropping dogs with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

Sophie Gamand used AI image generator DALL-E to rebuild the ears of shelter dogs who had their ears chopped off before arriving at a humane society.

“I have been taking photos of adoptable dogs in shelters across the U.S. (and abroad) for over a decade,” she tells PetaPixel. “The portraits I used are part of those archives.”

Gamand says that she has long considered the practice of mutilating dogs’ ears “absurd and cruel” and when thinking of how she could use AI to spotlight shelter dogs she decided to use the technology to give them their ears back.

“I used DALL-E. It wasn’t particularly difficult but the results could be hit or miss,” she explains.

“The photo needed to be clear and the angle easy to work with. When I used people’s own photos, I struggled a bit more than when I used my studio portraits.”

To create the images, Gamand erased the dogs’ cropped ears on DALL-E and typed in a text prompt, in this case “dog ear”, and then clicked generate after which she was presented with four different options to choose from.

Gamand was inundated with requests from people who wanted her to “add ears” to their adopted dogs.

“I really didn’t expect that. These people shared they had always wondered how their dogs might have looked like with their natural ears,” she says.

“Some became very emotional when I sent them the results. I spent a week retouching hundreds of images until I was all eared out. It’s been a fun and touching project.”

Why is Cropping Dogs’ Ears Cruel?

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) opposes the ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes.

“One of the top reasons people crop their dogs’ ears, is because they are under the impression that it will prevent ear infections. This has not been proven,” Gamand writes on her website.

“Another argument is to prevent ear injury, particularly with working dogs. But this argument seems weak considering most working dogs have intact ears…Moreover, most dogs today are pets and not working dogs.”

The biggest reason for ear cropping appears to be purely for looks — to make dogs look more intimidating.

“It is rooted in traditions of blood sports such as bull-baiting and bear-baiting,” Gamnd continues.

“There are various types of crops: the long crop, the show crop, the short crop, and the shortest one called the battle crop, where the ears are cropped very close to the skull, which can lead to serious health issues.

“The battle crop is routinely seen on dogs who end up in rescue. The ear canals are exposed to the elements and debris, and these dogs may suffer ear infections because of this.”

However, the American Kennel Club still recognizes that ear cropping “as prescribed in certain breed standards are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character,” according to a press release from 2008 which remains on its website.

“Perhaps the cruelest aspect of ear cropping, is that it robs dogs of one of their most important communication tools,” adds Gamand.

The photographer points out that dogs need their ears for picking out where a sound is coming from and to communicate with other dogs and humans.

“Many dogs have intricate and complex social lives, meeting dogs during their walks and at the dog park, living in humans’ homes and having to contend with children, and more,” she adds.

“Cropping ears is akin to tying someone’s hands behind their back and making them approach someone in silence.”

More of Gamand’s work can be found on her website, Instagram, and Patreon.

Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.

Micro four thirds is enjoying a bit of resurgence right now, with its lighter and smaller size, lower cost, and array of excellent lenses making it a fantastic choice for a wide number of genres and applications. Is it the ideal system for street photography? This great video makes a case for why that might be so.

Coming to you from Robin Wong, this insightful video makes a strong case for why the Olympus OM-D E-M10 line of cameras is perfect for street photography. It used to be that those who avoided micro four thirds did so mostly because the sensor was simply too small to provide decent noise performance and autofocus was often too slow to be trustworthy in more demanding situations. However, in recent years, sensor technology has come a long way, as has autofocus performance, and that small size, which was one seen as a hindrance, is now fantastic for anyone who wants a portable but high-performing kit or who wants to remain discreet, as is usually the case for street photography. On top of that, many micro four thirds cameras contain innovative features not found elsewhere, so if you haven’t given it a look in a while, now is a good time. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Wong. 

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Finding success as a photographer requires a complex multitude of factors, but regardless of your ultimate goal in the craft or the specific genre in which you are interested, there are some universal truths every budding creative should be aware of. This helpful video essay discusses three common reasons why budding photographers fail to find success. 

Coming to you from The School of Photography, this insightful video essay discusses some of the most common reasons up-and-coming photographers fail to achieve success. I found the points about excuses and underestimating how much effort goes into a successful shot particularly salient. There is a ton of marketing done on different shortcuts to success — things like Lightroom presets, AI editing, and more. And to be fair, many of these do offer improved efficiency in some cases, but there is a difference between someone with established skill improving their workflow versus substituting shortcuts for lack of experience and creative initiative. At some point, we simply have to get out there with our cameras and practice, practice, and practice some more. After all, isn’t that why we were all interested in photography in the first place? No matter how advanced technology gets, there is no substitute for creative experience. Check out the video above for the full rundown. 

May/June 2023

In the central core of Carmel, 20,000+ car enthusiasts congregate throughout the Carmel Arts & Design District every summer for Artomobilia. This annual first-class automotive event combines art and automobiles. This year, Artomobilia will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

A LOOK BEHIND THE LENS

Photography plays a crucial role in documenting the Artomobilia event. Photographers capture images of the showcased cars, the venue, the crowd, and other elements that highlight the atmosphere and essence of the event. These photos serve as a visual record of the event, preserving the memories and allowing people who couldn’t attend to experience it vicariously.

Photographing Artomobilia allows attendees to capture personal memories of the event. People often take their own photos of the cars, the venue, and their experiences during Artomobilia. These images are shared on social media, fostering engagement and creating a sense of community among participants.

Overall, photography at Artomobilia serves to capture and promote the beauty, creativity, and passion associated with automotive art. The photographs play a vital role in documenting the event, attracting attendees, promoting artists’ work, and sharing the experience with a broader audience.

Artomobilia Event Director John Leonard shared his thoughts on the impact that photography has, especially post-event.

“My sense is, for instance, that the Indianapolis 500 race is inextricably connected to the track, but the track is there all year round, and it kind of gets celebrated all the time,” Leonard said. “But the Artomobilia events are a moment in time, and then it goes back to its regular thing. So, my view is that without these guys taking photos, a lot of the action is lost or simply left to everybody’s recollections. The thing that I love about having these photographers, as well as everybody else that contributes photos, is that it keeps the event alive long after it happens, and the images really help rekindle those memories about what happened, and without those, it’s difficult to describe.”

Meet the Photographers Behind Some Iconic Shots

SEAN GROVE

A lifelong car enthusiast, Sean is an Indianapolis-based automotive artist with interests in both photography and industrial design.

“I met John [Leonard] at the second Artomobilia Show, and I was in middle school at the time,” Grove shared. I was very fresh into photography, and I’ve been officially involved with [Artomobilia] for about ten years now.

Between Artomobilia and the associated events that John and his team put together, these are the main channels that I’ve used to generate a wide variety of images. From my perspective, it’s all about the art and personality of the cars, and getting to see the cars displayed as art is really nice, especially in a region where that’s not typically what you see with car shows. John and his team have really created something very special within the Midwest region, where they place an emphasis on the art of the cars. As a photographer, the [fund- raising events] are even more fun because the venues, like Lucas Estate, have allowed better access to the cars — not having to fight the crowds—and having a beautiful environment to shoot makes it a different opportunity to be even more artistic and to take a more elegant approach to it.”

View more of Grove’s work at seangrove.myportfolio.com.

ANTHONY ROSS TYLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Anthony Ross Tyler is a commercial and fine art automotive photographer/graphic designer based out of Nashville, Tennessee.

An incredible and historic opportunity to capture the iconic image of three generations of the Ford GT in both road and road trim. With the assistance of the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, members of the Artomobilia Alumni, and renowned photographer Anthony Ross Tyler, these images were captured, representing more than 60 years of Ford Performance. This extraordinary image was featured on the cover of Carmel Monthly as part of the publication’s
coverage of Artomobilia that year.

“It was definitely one of those shots in my portfolio that even if I hadn’t shot it, I would still like to look at it,” Tyler expressed. “It was a really cool experience. This was a ‘John Leonard’ project where he cooked it up with the Artomobilia team and landed on that theme.”

The issue was getting all five cars in one controlled spot for the iconic photo shoot.

“What we were trying to accomplish was every single car being lit like it was the hero in the shot,” Tyler recalled. “We needed a controlled location and a place where I could have a camera 20 or so odd feet off the ground because we weren’t going to show all five cars from ground level in a way where they would all translate as being epic and important.”

With the assistance of his young son and five Hot Wheels cars, Tyler arranged all five Ford GT models in different layouts to take back to Leonard and his team for approval.

“I took a macro lens on my camera, and basically using armchair math, I figured out how high the camera needed to be and arranged the Hot Wheels [models] into different layouts that I thought would work. We landed on the one with the new Ford GT [that year] in the middle with all of the other generations pointing towards it, providing an excellent view of all five vehicles in the shot.”

View more of Tyler’s work at photo.arosstyler.com.

JASON LAVENGOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Jason Lavengood is an internationally recognized fine art and commercial photographer based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lavengood’s epic shots of the 2022 Ferrari SF90 are a sampling of his exceptional collection of works.

“For me, it’s very much about art,” Lavengood shared. “I’ve been a photographer since I started developing film at [age 13]. Artomobilia is a day-long festival in Carmel that’s just cool, and it’s done so top-notch. It’s much more than just cars with the people, food, and music. It’s an amazing event. It was pretty cool rolling up to a brand new SF90. It was the first time I had seen it in person. John presented the shots to everyone at Artomobilia, and they really liked the head on shot, so that’s the one we ended up using on the cover. I was so proud about that. It was really cool.”

Lavengood shared that intricate shots like these are not as easy as just pointing and shooting. There are many factors that determine the outcome of a shoot, in particular outdoor shoots in an urban environment.

“It had been an early morning shoot, and I had scouted the location the day before, but I had not anticipated the shadows of the building and the way that the sun was reflecting off of some of the windows that created some shadows,” Lavengood explained. “We had to wait for the sun to move before we could shoot. So, lighting, especially natural lighting, and waiting on the sun, the clouds, or whatever, are huge factors in any shoot like this. And then there’s being able to put a large object in a place where there aren’t’ too many distractions. Whether that’s street signs, people, or traffic; you want the focus to be on the car, and you have to have or create an environment that allows that.”

View more of Lavengood’s work at lavengoodphotography.com.

Stay tuned for more Artomobilia coverage over the next few months! Carmel Monthly is proud to be a longtime media sponsor! For more information, visit artomobilia.org.

Amid a culture of antagonism toward Syrian refugees in Turkey, a photography project has fostered friendships between refugees and Turkish children. Sirkhane Darkroom’s workshops have allowed children to express their emotions in new, creative ways.

Sharjah’s Xposure International Photography Festival is now accepting entries for its next International Photography and Film Awards.

The annual competition is returning for its eighth event next year. The festival and its awards component received more than 17,000 submissions from 180 countries this year. Organisers say they recorded an 80 per cent increase in submissions compared with previous years.

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit work to the competition before October 30. Photographers can submit up to 10 images or films in one of the categories.

These include Architectural Photography, Drone Photography, Nature and Landscape, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Street Photography, Short Film and Moving Image. Two categories have also been created in collaboration with Samsung, including Night Photography and Mobile Photography.

One person will also be named overall winner of the competition, receiving a $6,000 prize. Category winners will receive $3,000, whereas runners-up will be awarded $1,500. The top five entries in each category will also be displayed in an exhibition during the festival.

A category is also dedicated to UAE residents. The Junior category is open to amateurs who dabble in stills, whether captured on phone, DSLR or mirrorless cameras. The entries must have been photographed in the past three years. The highest-rated seven works will be exhibited at Xposure 2024. Equipment prizes will be awarded to first and second-place winners.

“Xposure is a globally recognised platform for celebrating photography, film and other visual mediums,” says Tariq Saeed Allay, director general of Sharjah Government Media Bureau.

“The annual celebration has created prolific new opportunities for up-and-coming photographers and visual artists to showcase themselves and highlight their careers.”

Updated: June 20, 2023, 1:43 PM