Eve Arnold took this picture of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits in 1960. Monroe’s husband Arthur Miller had initially written the movie for his wife to star in – opposite her teenage crush, Clark Gable ­­– as a Valentine’s gift, but by the time of the production, Miller and Monroe were close to divorce. Arnold had been invited on set to chronicle the making of the film, but she ended up documenting the end of a marriage.

The photographer had first met Monroe in 1952, and she helped to make her legend, photographing her in an airport bathroom with her skirt hitched up to her waist, and reading the Molly Bloom section of Ulysses in Central Park. This picture is included in a new exhibition of Arnold’s images of women, which takes in fashion shows in 1950s Harlem and her era-defining reportage for the Magnum agency. I interviewed the photographer in 2002, when she was 90, and she reminisced about Monroe, her muse and her friend: “She made me feel as if I were brilliant,” Arnold said, “and I suppose I made her feel as if she were brilliant. Actually we were two young women starting out in this quite male world, so we just played together, had the most fun we could.”

That fun was in fairly short supply on The Misfits, however. The film was shot in the 40C-plus heat of the Nevada desert. The director, John Huston, was drinking and gambling, and Monroe’s prescription drug addiction saw her frequently absent from the set and finally hospitalised for two weeks. “She was being atrocious to Arthur,” Arnold told me. “It began in the heat of the summer and ended in the cold of the desert. It was not a happy set, and it got less happy.”

• Eve Arnold – To Know About Women is at Newlands House Gallery, Petworth, Sussex, 1 July–7 January

Home Photography Shortlist: 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Neighbour’s Dispute.
Image credit: Ofer Levy

Here are some of the shortlisted images for the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year awards for 2023, showcasing the year’s best wildlife and landscape photos.

Welcome to the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year collection for 2023.

Our involvement with this competition is very much part of our mission to encourage photography of our region’s landscapes and wildlife. Our region offers so much for any would-be photographer, and not just in our wild and remote areas.The flora and fauna in our backyards and city parks are all worthy subjects too. Photography encourages you to look carefully at the world around you. It increases knowledge and understanding, and raises awareness. Nature photographers are active conservationists, and that is the real power of this competition. Some of us will be looking carefully at the f-stop number or the lens type, but for most, it’s a chance to be inspired by the beauty of nature.

We commend all those who entered (550 amazing photographers) and extend our gratitude to this year’s judges, Mike Langford, Adjunct Professor Wayne Quilliam and Jackie Ranken, who faced an epic task evaluating more than 2000 entries.

And this year it was even harder, with a new category attracting awe-inspiring images. 

“This year we introduced the well-received macro category, with photographers submitting incredible larger-than-life-sized images of nature’s smallest scenes,” says the Museum’s acting director Justine van Mourik.

That meant there were 10 categories this year:

• Animals in Nature
• Urban Animals
• Macro
• Landscape
• Threatened Species 
• Monochrome 
• Our Impact
• Junior
• Portfolio

The South Australian Museum will announce the overall winner, category winners, runners-up and the Portfolio Prize in August. 

Until then, here’s a look at the shortlisted images in the Animals in Nature, Macro and Urban Animals categories. 

Animals in Nature

Related: AG Nature Photographer of the Year 2022: Animals in Nature shortlist

Macro

Related: AG Nature Photographer of the Year 2022: Urban Animals shortlist

Urban Animals

Related: Shortlist: 2022 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year awards

Munna Thaakur, who has extensively captured all from Salman Khan to Amitabh Bachchan, shares his journey from being a cart puller to a celebrity photographer.

Celebrity photographer Munna Thaakur has worked with almost all the A-listers from Amitabh Bachchan to Salman Khan in his 25-year-long career after starting from almost nothing. Munna used to earn a living as a newspaper hawker by delivering the daily newspaper to houses of film celebrities in Mumbai and eventually went on to capturing them in his lens. He also used to be a cart puller for quite some time in the city of dreams where he now is a prominent name in the world of photography and has all from Tiger Shroff to Taapsee Pannu among his followers on Instagram. “Rotigrapher to photographer” is how he describes his journey as a photographer. Also read: Jaya Bachchan gets shy as Amitabh Bachchan leans on her in throwback pic, Abhishek Bachchan shares post

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Munna opened up about how he learnt the ropes of photography as a part time job and all those who met and helped him in his remarkable journey. Munna is 48, unmarried, and a look at his Instagram account is enough to confirm his love for cycling in tough terrains with his camera for company. He was just 15 when he came to Mumbai from Akola, Maharashtra and worked as a newspaper hawker in Lokhandwala.

Arjun Rampal was his first celebrity

Opening up about how Arjun Rampal was his first celebrity, he said, “In my initial days, I also worked as a cart puller for some time. As a newspaper hawker later, I used to do a part time job at a photo studio. I used to bring and deliver pictures and would click passport size pictures. A man named Bilal Khan taught me how to operate the camera. I used to deliver newspapers at Arjun Rampal’s house as well. There, I told his servants that I wanted to shoot and they conveyed it to him. Arjun asked me to show him my previous work but I had none. I told him if the pictures didn’t come out well, I would delete the roll. He gave me a chance and I finally started out in the industry. Having a supermodel in my profile was definitely a boost for me.”

Some are left but I am sure I will get them.

“In my initial days, money was never on my mind, I just wanted to make my profile. My pictures would go to magazines as well which was enough for my requirements. And I continued to get one project after another. I used to visit celebrities and show them my work,” he added.

Sharing the long list of people he has captured through the camera, Munna said, “My first photo shoot with Mukul Dev was my first work which was printed in Zee magazine. I also worked with Mayuri Kango whose pictures were published in Stardust. After Arjun, I approached John Abraham and kept getting one link after another. John’s pictures were put on hoardings and then I shot Bipasha Basu as well. I went on to work with Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Dia Mirza, Shraddha Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha. Some are left but I am sure I will get them.”

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How did he learn photography?

However, there is still a question about how a class 7 dropout could learn the technicalities of photography without getting any formal knowledge. Ask him and pat comes the reply, “Marta kya na karta (it was a do or die for me). I had to make it work. I kept on learning while doing it and it’s not that hard. Once you decide to do something, things start falling in place automatically. I kept on getting good guidance at every step. You learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them and that’s how I have learnt. I have learnt about lighting by seeing others’ work.”

“In my case, I have been lucky that whenever I did a photo shoot with a celebrity, I got more opportunities to work with them. Everyone has his comfort zone and you get that vibe at work. And when the pictures are good, everyone likes it. I never faced trouble during any photo shoot. I never had to kill a photo shoot after clicking pictures,” he added.

On being asked about working with Amitabh Bachchan, Munna says, “He is a legend, you can’t even speak in front of him as words don’t come out of your mouth in his presence. He is so experienced that no matter how you click him, the pictures always come out good. I had shot with him for an ad film and a film’s look test.”

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My entire life has been an incident: Munna

Munna also has several celebrities who have extensively worked with him like Salman Khan, Suniel Shetty, Sonakshi Sinha, Shilpa Shetty and Taapsee Pannu to count a few. “From where I started my career, every person has only helped me in my endeavour. I have come from rock bottom, climbed one step after another. Those who helped me in the beginning, I wouldn’t have been here. My entire life is an incident in itself. Every shoot was an incident for me but thankfully, all of them were good. After every single shoot, I tried to be better in my next,” he says. The photographer says that he just had around ₹25 in his pocket when he first came to the city and he now makes around ₹20-25 lakh a year.

Munna however, refuses to focus on anything other than his profession and continues to remain close to his roots. “I try to be in touch with anyone who helped me in my initial days and throughout my journey. Even those whom I used to deliver the newspaper to, I meet them even today. Only my sense of photography has undergone a change, not me. Mere ko hawa nahi lagi (I haven’t acquired ego). I am very close to my roots, if that is changed, nothing would make sense. Our performance should change for the better, not us as people,” he signs off.

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Finalists for Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2023 have been revealed.

The stunning photographers have been entered into ten categories including animals in nature, astrophotography, junior, landscape, macro, monochrme, our impact, threatened species and urban animals.

Click through to see some of our favourites.

Photography has become an everyday part of our lives, moving from the realm of professionals to the hands of amateurs and enthusiasts. With the continual evolution of smartphone technology, mobile photography has significantly transformed, delivering professional-level results that rival traditional DSLRs. This year, 2023, showcases some extraordinary smartphone cameras, pushing the boundaries of what mobile devices can achieve in photography.

iPhone 14 Pro Max: Power and Versatility

Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max is more than just a smartphone; it’s a versatile photographic tool. The phone showcases a triple-lens rear camera setup: a 48-megapixel wide sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor. This configuration allows photographers to capture a wide range of shots, from panoramic landscapes to detailed close-ups, all while maintaining high resolution and rich color reproduction.

The phone’s Night Mode is particularly impressive. Now available for all three lenses, it intelligently adapts to different light conditions, enabling photographers to capture vibrant, detailed images even in low light. This opens up a world of creative possibilities, from capturing cityscapes under neon lights to shooting wildlife at dawn or dusk.

Apple’s ProRAW feature should not be overlooked either. This provides photographers with comprehensive control over editing while maintaining the high image quality. This feature can be a game-changer for photographers interested in post-processing, allowing for a level of detail and dynamic range usually associated with DSLR cameras.

Google Pixel 7 Pro: Computational Photography Marvel

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is another standout in mobile photography. Its camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 48-megapixel telephoto lens. This powerful hardware is complemented by Google’s advanced computational photography capabilities.

The Pixel’s software uses AI and machine learning to enhance image quality and make automatic adjustments. This leads to better low-light performance, enhanced digital zoom, and improved portrait mode effects. Google’s Night Sight and Super Res Zoom take these enhancements even further, providing remarkable low-light shots and impressive zooming capabilities. For travel photography or impromptu street shots, these features make the Pixel 7 Pro a powerful companion.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Superior Zoom and Versatility

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra comes equipped with a comprehensive camera system, housing a 108-megapixel wide sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses. This setup offers great versatility, accommodating a variety of shooting situations and styles.

The phone’s Space Zoom feature is particularly impressive, offering up to 100x digital zoom. This feature can capture distant subjects with an impressive level of detail, which could be particularly useful in situations like wildlife photography or sporting events. Furthermore, the Single Take feature allows users to capture a series of photos and videos with one shutter press, perfect for fast-paced events or dynamic scenes.

Sony Xperia 1 IV: DSLR Experience in a Smartphone

The Sony Xperia 1 IV, with its triple 12-megapixel lens setup (wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto), offers professional-grade capabilities. The Photography Pro feature emulates the manual controls found in DSLR cameras, providing full control over parameters like shutter speed, ISO, and focus. This makes it an ideal choice for photographers who prefer hands-on control and precision.

General Tips for Mobile Photography

To fully capture the potential of these phones, let’s explore a few more tips that can elevate your smartphone photography skills:

1. Lighting: Always pay attention to your light source. Natural light typically yields the best results. If shooting indoors, try to position your subject near a window or other source of natural light. When outdoors, the golden hour – the hour after sunrise or before sunset – provides a soft, warm light that can make for stunning photos.
2. Composition: Understand and apply basic composition rules, such as the rule of thirds or creating leading lines. Many smartphones have a grid feature that can assist with this. Also, consider the foreground, middle ground, and background of your shots to add depth.
3. Focus and Exposure: Tap on the area of the scene you want in focus. Most smartphone cameras will also adjust the exposure for that area. Remember, you can manually adjust the exposure in most camera apps by sliding your finger up or down.
4. Experiment With Different Modes: Explore the various modes your camera offers, such as portrait mode for depth-of-field effects, night mode for low-light conditions, and panorama for wide angle shots.
5. Post-Processing: Don’t shy away from using editing tools. Apps like Adobe Lightroom and Snapseed offer a range of editing options to enhance your photos.
6. Keep Learning: Photography is an art, and like any other art, it takes time and practice. Keep shooting, keep experimenting, and keep learning.
7. Stability: It’s crucial to keep your phone steady while shooting to avoid blurry images. If your hands are not steady enough, consider investing in a tripod designed for smartphones.
8. Use Burst Mode for Action Shots: If you’re capturing a moving subject, take advantage of your phone’s burst mode. This will allow you to snap a series of images quickly, increasing your chances of getting that perfect shot.
9. Clean Your Lens: A simple but often overlooked tip. Make sure your phone lens is clean before you start shooting. A dirty lens can cause your images to appear foggy or have spots.
10. Learn Your Phone’s Features: Spend some time getting to know the specific features and settings of your phone’s camera. Each smartphone camera is unique, with its own set of strengths and weaknesses.

The beauty of smartphone photography lies in its accessibility and spontaneity. With your phone always in your pocket, you’re ready to capture any moment. Take advantage of this convenience, keep these tips in mind, and you’ll soon notice a significant improvement in your photos. Remember, the best camera is the one you have with you. Now, armed with one of these top smartphones of 2023 and the knowledge to harness its full power, you’re well equipped to take your mobile photography to the next level.

Closing Thoughts

In 2023, the line between traditional and mobile photography continues to blur. Thanks to the combination of powerful hardware and innovative software, today’s smartphones offer a level of photographic quality and versatility that was unthinkable just a few years ago.

With devices like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and Sony Xperia 1 IV, photographers have high-quality tools right at their fingertips. Whether you’re capturing the fleeting moments of street photography, the grandeur of a landscape, or the intricate details of a close-up shot, mastering mobile photography is now more achievable than ever.

So, embrace the capabilities of your smartphone camera. Practice, experiment, and never stop learning. The world of photography is vast and rewarding, and with your smartphone, you’re well equipped to explore it.

SIGMA has just announced the SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens, the world’s first 14mm f/1.4 lens designed specifically for astrophotography. This ultra wide-angle prime lens is compatible with mirrorless camera systems, available in Sony E-mount and Leica L-Mount.

The lens is equipped with various features tailored for astrophotography, including a removable tripod socket, MFL switch for manual focus lock, lens heater retainer, rear filter holder, and a specially-designed front cap with a new locking mechanism and filter storage slots. It offers excellent aberration correction and delivers exceptional image quality, making it potentially the best lens for astrophotography. Its 14mm focal length and F1.4 aperture capture vast starry skies and reduces exposure time. The lens is also durable with a splash and dust-resistant construction, maintaining the high performance and quality standards of the SIGMA F1.4 Art lens lineup.

Beyond astrophotography, this 14mm f/1.4 lens is also suitable for high-end architecture, real estate and landscape photography, thanks to its outstanding optical performance and specialized features.

SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN

New vision. Expanding possibilities

1. Ultra wide-angle 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4 and outstanding optical performance
2. Abundant functions and accessories to support starscape photography
3. Signature Art line features and high build quality

Supplied accessories: Case, COVER LENS CAP LC1014-01, REAR CAP LCR II, TRIPOD SOCKET TS-141, PROTECTIVE COVER PT-41, GUIDE PLATE GP-11

Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount

The world’s first and only* lens that combines an ultrawide angle of 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4.

Introducing the world’s first and only lens that combines an ultrawide angle of 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4, designed specifically for stunning starscape photography. Capturing the beauty of the starry sky is a challenging task for wide-angle lenses, given the multitude of tiny light sources scattered throughout the image. The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens is the result of our engineers’ passion for achieving the widest, brightest, highest-resolution, and most captivating starscape images imaginable. Leveraging SIGMA’s cutting-edge technology, this lens offers an ultrawide 14mm angle of view paired with an impressive F1.4 aperture. It boasts high optical performance with thorough correction of sagittal coma flare, specialized functions to enhance starry landscape photography, and fast autofocus powered by the HLA linear motor.

With the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens, you can turn the Milky Way stretching across the night sky and twinkling stars above ridgelines into breathtaking images that surpass the experience. Its exceptional performance in capturing starscapes opens up new possibilities for visual expression and enjoyment across various scenes, including daytime landscapes, architecture, and indoor photography in dark and confined spaces.

* Excluding fisheye lenses, as interchangeable lenses for mirrorless cameras and SLR cameras (as of June, 2023 by SIGMA).

Key features

Ultra wide-angle 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4 and outstanding optical performance

Applying the best of SIGMA’s optical technologies made this world-first performance possible, from the design to the lens manufacturing process. In addition, 19 elements in 15 groups, including 1 SLD glass element, 3 FLD glass elements, and 4 aspherical lens elements, make up a luxurious lens configuration. This allows for advanced aberration correction and a high degree of precision in the lens construction. This allows both advanced aberration correction and F1.4 brightness. In particular, sagittal coma flare, which distorts the shape of stars, has been carefully corrected. Even at the widest aperture, the lens delivers high image reproducibility right to the periphery of the image.

Both optical design and coatings also thoroughly address ghosting and flare. This allows for clear, crisp shooting of starry sky and night scenes. Optimized for starscapes, which require extremely high performance, this lens delivers images that exceed expectations in any scene, including landscapes, architecture snapshots, portraits, and indoor photography.

Abundant functions and accessories to support starscape photography

The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is equipped with a wealth of features that support starscape photography. This fully backs up the fun of starscape photography.

• Tripod Socket

Includes a detachable tripod mount compatible with Arca-Swiss type. Mounting the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens on a tripod makes it more stable, as it is heavier on the front side. The shape is designed to prevent interference even when using the lens heater.

• MFL (Manual Focus Lock) Switch

A switch to lock the manual focus at a desired position. Prevents focus shift caused by unintentional operation of the focus ring. This is useful for fixed focus shooting scenarios, such as long exposure photography.

• Lens Heater Retainer

Steps around the front and lens heater retainers prevent the lens heater* from protruding into the front of the lens and causing vignetting on the periphery of the screen.
* A belt-shaped heater wrapped around the lens prevents condensation from forming inside the lens when the temperature drops.

• Rear Filter Holder

A rear filter holder is provided as standard equipment at the lens mount for attaching a sheet-type rear filter. A lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the filter from falling out.

• Special front cap with locking mechanism and filter slots

Includes a cover-type front cap with locking mechanism. It also has a newly developed filter slot that can hold two rear filters depending on the application. The cap is specially designed for the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art to protect the sheet filters from scratches and dirt while ensuring that they are not mistakenly taken out or forgotten.

Signature Art line features and high build quality

In addition to functions specifically designed for shooting starscapes, the lens is equipped with various functions to assist in shooting, including an AFL button to which any function can be assigned and an aperture ring. The body is dust and splash resistant. The frontmost surface of the lens has a water- and stain-repellent coating, so you can shoot outdoors in harsh environments with peace of mind. The HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) enables high-speed, quiet, and highly accurate autofocusing.

In order to maintain performance while supporting a lens with a large aperture, the lens has a robust internal structure and uses lightweight materials such as polycarbonate TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), which has a thermal shrinkage rate equivalent to that of aluminum, and magnesium in appropriate locations to reduce weight while ensuring robustness. The lens body is built with the high build quality of the Art line specifications, allowing the user to fully enjoy the unique performance of the lens in any environment, including shooting starscapes.

Additional features

• Lens construction: 19 elements in 15 groups (3 FLD, 1 SLD, and 4 aspherical elements)
• Inner focus system
• Compatible with high-speed autofocus
• HLA (High-response Linear Actuator)
• Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
  • Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model.
  • On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to ‘ON’ (AUTO).
• Supports DMF and AF+MF
• Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only)
• Super Multi-Layer Coating
• Water and Oil Repellent Coating (front element)
• Aperture ring
• Aperture ring click switch
• Aperture ring lock switch
• AFL button
• MFL switch
• Rear Filter Holder (compatible with GUIDE PLATE GP-11)
• Lens Heater Retainer
• Focus Mode Switch
• Support for switching between linear and nonlinear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only)
• Dust and Splash Resistant Structure
• TRIPOD SOCKET TS-141 supplied
• Special front cap with locking mechanism and filter slot: COVER LENS CAP LC1014-01 (NEW)
• Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
• Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
• Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
• 11-blade rounded diaphragm
• High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
• “Made in Japan” craftsmanship

Key specifications

The figures below are for the L-Mount version:

Lens Construction:                                       19 elements in 15 groups (3 FLD, 1 SLD, 4 aspherical)

Angle of view:                                                 114.2°

Number of diaphragm blades:                  11 (rounded diaphragm)

Minimum aperture:                                       F16

Minimum focusing distance:                     30cm / 11.9 in.

Maximum magnification ratio:                  1:11.9

Filter size:                                                       Rear filter only

Dimensions (Max. Diam. x Length):        101.4 x 149.9mm / 4.0 x 5.9 in.

Weight:                                                            1170g / 41.3 oz.

For more information, visit Sigma.

The entries for the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year are in and the shortlist has been revealed. 

Each year, it encourages photographers to capture stunning images taken in Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea.

And, in its 20th year running, this year is no exception. 

In 2023 the competition, which is owned and produced by the South Australian Museum, drew 2,182 entries from 550 photographers across 10 countries.

But the shortlist could only be made up of 95 images. 

South Australian Museum acting director Justine van Mourik said this year’s judges, Mike Langford, Adjunct Professor Wayne Quilliam and Jackie Ranken, faced an epic task.

And this year it was even harder, with a new category attracting awe-inspiring images. 

“This year we introduced the well-received macro category, with photographers submitting incredible larger-than-life-sized images of nature’s smallest scenes,” Ms van Mourik said. 

That meant there were 10 categories this year:

• Animals in Nature
• Urban Animals
• Macro
• Landscape
• Threatened Species 
• Monochrome 
• Our Impact
• Junior
• Portfolio

The South Australian Museum will announce the overall winner, category winners, runners-up and the Portfolio Prize in August. 

Until then, here’s a look at the shortlisted images in the Animals in Nature, Macro and Urban Animals categories. 

Animals in Nature

Macro

Urban Animals

Believe it or not, I have been a freelance photographer for six years. Looking back on it, I have been struggling to make it, truly learning the meaning of the term starving artist. I wish I would have received this bit of advice so many years ago.

In photography, I have this saying: “if it pays, it stays.” What I mean by that is I will grab any paying jobs to keep my dream alive. Those jobs could be real estate, insurance claims, race photography, or any mindless, non-creative paying gig. Much of the time, they are mindless opportunities for which my passion is not aroused.

It’s great in the short-term, because who doesn’t love paying bills? It does lead to a lot of distraction from what one is passionate about. Eventually, it leads to this never-ending loop of passionless photo jobs one dreads to do.

This is what happened to We Eat Together. He bopped around a variety of photography categories but never really found a foothold. Until one day, he discovered passions outside of photography. In turn, he used his camera as a tool to express his passions. By doing so, he got away from the passionless gig loop and gained traction in his photography career.

Photography is a daunting career choice because everyone has become one with their phone. The way to break through the noise is to combine passion, creativity, and focus. Perhaps you could save yourself a decade and the feelings of failure by becoming one of the best photographers in your passionate niche.

The Camp Verde Community Library is featuring a new exhibit, “Double Take,” showcasing the collaborative art of husband and wife team Larry and Debbie Gallagher. 

The show consists of nature and landscape photographs taken by Larry paired with acrylic paintings by Debbie that reinterpret the photos and are displayed side by side. 

Debbie said that she always had a love of art and won her first art contest in the third grade. She studied fine arts at the University of Portland and later became a teacher. She painted with oils before turning to watercolor, creating what she called non-traditional portraits and focusing on color. About five years ago, she switched from doing portrait work in watercolor to landscapes in acrylic. 

Larry took up photography around 1980 when he purchased a basic film camera, which he kept using until the 1990s when his work became more time-consuming. He didn’t return to shooting until he retired three years ago and taught himself how to use a digital camera. He mainly photographs landscapes, or small scenes within a landscape. 

“I love being out in the early morning and late afternoon in the blue hours looking at how the world wakes up and goes to sleep,” Larry said.

Both of the Gallaghers find inspiration in nature. Larry observed that nature simplifies your life with its calming and centering aspects. “I’m just amazed at nature, the complexity and interrelationships of everything, how they are so delicately balanced and then when they’re thrown out of balance the effects can be pretty dramatic,” he said. 

“We love to camp and hike and Arizona is just so beautiful,” Debbie said. “I started using Larry’s photographs for resource information and that’s kind of how we started doing our collaborative work together.” 

While for some, creating art is a solitary endeavor, the Gallaghers have been exploring a more collaborative process. Debbie had done collaborative art before with another artist, passing a painting back and forth with each of them taking turns adding to it. 

“With that kind of collaborative art you have to have a lot of trust and have to be able to really let it go,” Debbie said. “It was very powerful.” 

While Larry photographs an area, Debbie will sketch or paint plein air. Later, she will look through Larry’s photographs and choose one to reinterpret with her own palette and in her own style. He gives her the photos in black and white, as she does not want to be influenced by their colors. 

“It’s important in that process of having that level of trust in the person and for me to say to Debbie, I don’t care what you do with the photograph I give you,” Larry said. “I’m really just waiting to see what interesting, colorful and unique ways you can create some derivative piece of art from it. The photographer has to completely release their preconceptions of what would be done with it and say, I can’t wait to see what you do with it.” 

The Gallaghers feel that this collaborative form of art and trust has strengthened their relationship even more. 

“I do think it brings us closer,” Larry said. “We have a similar interest and so that makes the time for us to be together to do things, but also that exchange of information builds trust, not that we didn’t have it to begin with, but it’s just another layer of it.” 

The Gallaghers moved to Camp Verde in 2003 and recognized the importance of meeting other artists. Debbie joined a group of fellow painters, feeling that meeting other artists broadens your perspective and encourages you to keep painting as well as to experiment. Both Debbie and Larry are members of El Valle Artists Association, which brings together artists in the Verde Valley. 

On the photography side, Larry said, “Get out and experiment. Don’t wait till you feel like you’ve learned everything. Get out there and start learning by doing it.” He facilitates the Verde Valley Photographic Society, which meets monthly at the Camp Verde Community Library. He stressed the importance of being able to talk to other photographers and to see their work, of learning from and being inspired by others with a similar passion. 

“It gets you that connection to other people who like doing what you do, and you both get better by doing that together,” Larry said.