One man’s trash was another’s treasure at Western Washington University’s “Pinhole” photography exhibit. The exhibition highlighted student work from Western’s black and white photography and photography alternative processes classes. Photos and materials were on display from April 29 to May 15. 

“I think you can make something out of anything,” Talia Podrachik said, a student exhibitor. “It’s nice to see [the students in the class] as a team, and all we’ve done and how it all varies. It looks great and I just love it.” 

Garth Amundson, the professor of both classes featured in the exhibition, has made an effort to feature student work wherever he can.

“I’ve made a huge effort to exhibit student work in as many different locations as possible,” Amundson said. “This includes exhibitions in the WWU library, Carver Gym, biology building, downtown Bellingham and several exhibitions in Seattle. After all, what is the point of making art if there’s not an audience to enjoy it? Making art is only the first step, getting people to look at it completes the work.”

Pinhole photography is linked to the creation of the camera obscura and the common camera used today, according to Amundson.

“Pinhole photography has a long rich history and is a great way to introduce students to analog photography,” Amundson said. “In this context, the introductory class was able to understand the construction of an image while the advanced class was able to push conceptual research surrounding the relationships between camera and image.”

To create a pinhole for this project, students used containers such as Pringles cans and old boxes and covered them in black tape on the inside and outside. A photo could then be taken through a small hole, said Podrachik.

“It’s so cool that we could take random recycled materials and make images out of them,” said Podrachik. “All of these are cool, they have a haunting look to them in some way.”

According to Podrachik, the hardest part of this project was what made it unique: the recycled materials. Developing film through recycled material was a learning process that proved frustrating. 

Students are passionate about what they do, said Dr. Christopher Bianco, the dean of the Fine and Performing Arts College. “It is not as easy to get work out there, we are lucky here as musicians, artists and photographers that those outward displays of art are worked into the curriculum.” 

“We often get trapped in our fields of study and silos, so to have students, staff, faculty and the community visit the art department is the ultimate goal,” Amundson said.

If students don’t know about the art on campus, the hope is that they’re surprised about the amount of talent that exists here. The goal is to promote a level of equality for all students because they are talented and deserve to be seen, said Bianco. 

“It’s hard to get out there, there’s such a variety of things that people are good at and so much talent and they’re more niche,” said Podrachik. “There’s so many cool things that no one would see otherwise, and even if it is for a project, you can see their individual style. It’s all a creating and learning process for everyone.”

More about the recent “Pinhole” exhibit and upcoming showings can be found here.

Photography is more about an art form, a hobby, or a career. Taking photos can teach you many life lessons, only if you allow it and know how to recognize and embrace those moments of profound knowledge. In her TEDx talk, photographer Felisa Tan shares the deeper meaning behind her art and explores the five ways photography has enriched her life and, by extension, how it can enrich ours.

1. Curiosity: the beginner’s mind

Felisa emphasizes the importance of curiosity, a core tenet in Zen Buddhism called “shoshin” or “the beginner’s mind.” This childlike wonder allows us to see the world with fresh eyes, fostering a sense of openness that is crucial for learning and understanding. Photography, by encouraging us to slow down and truly look, helps us rediscover the magic in the everyday.

2. Honesty: unveiling the truth

Great photographs are more than just pretty pictures; they are reflections of the photographer’s mind. Felisa believes in capturing the essence of a subject, including its beauty and darkness. By embracing honesty, both with ourselves and our subjects, we allow them to reveal their true nature, leading to a more profound connection.

3. Love: the heart of creation

Love is the driving force behind creation, according to Felisa. It compels us to find beauty in the world and share it with others. Through photographs that capture tenderness, respect, and a sense of wonder, Felisa encourages us to see the interconnectedness of all things and appreciate the sacredness of life.

4. Generosity: the gift of seeing

Felisa suggests reframing photography as “making” rather than “taking.” When we make a photograph, we offer our attention, intelligence, and presence, transforming a moment into a work of art. This shift in perspective fosters gratitude and allows us to receive the gift of an image rather than demand it.

5. Impermanence: embracing the fleeting

Photography serves as a powerful reminder of impermanence. By capturing fleeting moments, we are forced to confront the ever-changing nature of life. This awareness, however, doesn’t lead to despair. Instead, it encourages us to cherish beauty more fully and live each moment to the fullest.

Felisa concludes by reminding us that photography is not just about capturing images; it’s about cultivating a way of seeing the world. Through the lens of a camera, or simply with a more mindful eye, we can develop curiosity, honesty, love, generosity, and an appreciation for impermanence – all qualities that enrich our lives and deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

What I’d like to add is that you also learn and gain from failed photo attempts. I shared my experience about the lessons I learned from failed shooting of the comet Neowise. Even if you don’t come back home with portfolio-worthy photos, it’s always worth enjoying the journey even if you never reach the destination, no matter how corny it may sound.

As Felisa suggests, the real gift of photography lies not in the pictures themselves but in the transformation it brings. It cultivates calmness, clarity, and wonder, refining our observations and making us more sensitive to our surroundings. With or without a camera, these skills enhance our ability to experience and understand the world in a more holistic way.

So, the next time you pick up a camera, remember, it’s not just about capturing a scene. It’s about opening yourself to a world of possibilities and enriching your life with many lessons photography has to offer.

Landscape photography brings together spending time in nature and taking some amazing shots. It’s a win-win, right? Well… Not quite, at least not always. In this video, William Patino takes you on a hike with him and shares the truth about landscape photography that’s a bit bitter – but it’s necessary to know.

I’ll try to break it down into lessons you can learn from William, but also from my own experience I’ll share here and there throughout this article.

The harsh truth

From William’s adventure, we can learn that not every outing will result in a portfolio-worthy image. William went on a hike 70 km away from civilization, and he was on a slippery, wet terrain about 4km from his car. He went out specifically to shoot landscapes, and the scenes around him were truly beautiful. inspiration everywhere: a waterfall, a turquoise stream, incredible trees, and rock textures… However, he ended up discarding the photos he took during the hike.

This sounds discouraging, doesn’t it? You take a trip to a place far from home, and you get wet, tired, and dirty; you definitely visit and photograph incredible places – yet no photos are good enough. None of them do justice to the amazing sights you saw. No matter how disappointed this makes you, it is a normal part of photography. And there are still things you are getting from the experience, so let’s go through them as well.

What are you getting?

Photography experience

If you feel that your photos aren’t working, learn to dissect why. In the video, William discusses the reasons why he discarded each photo. This self-critique is an important part of developing as a photographer. He also mentions the four pillars of photography: subject, composition, light, and post-processing. Analyze your photos based on these elements, and considering including them in the future.

When editing, take breaks and return to your photos with fresh eyes. William mentions how he decided against including a photo he initially liked after processing it. Taking a break from your photos can help you see them more objectively. Don’t be afraid to scrap a photo. If you don’t love it, it probably won’t resonate with viewers either. There’s no shame in discarding a photo, even if you spent a lot of time taking it.

New knowledge

Remember that you’ve still gained experience and learned something. Even though he didn’t get the photos he wanted, William points out that he still had a fun and educational experience. He learned from his mistakes and can apply that knowledge to future shoots.

Time in nature

What I’d like to add is that you spent time in nature, and it means so much for your body and soul. I started hiking a lot, and I don’t always come home with photos I love. Heck, most times I don’t even bring my camera, only my phone.

Still, I always discover some new bugs, plants, fungi and animals. I use Seek app I wrote about before to identify new species and learn about them. I explore new locations and challenge my body to get me through it safely. I’ve been through some crazy adventures that taught me so much about myself and what I’m capable of. Even if you don’t take a single shot while you’re out there in nature – all this is still worth the trip and the effort.

After all, sometimes the best photos are found totally unexpectedly. William got his best photo close to his car on the way home after a hike where he didn’t find any keepers. Be open to finding photo opportunities everywhere you go and cherish the entire experience, not just the images you bring home from a hike.

Architectural photographer Randhir Singh’s three books—part of a nine-volume series—celebrating modern architecture in South Asia are odes to three landmark architectural projects (and their celebrated architects) that are exemplary specimens of modernist expression in India and also proud assertions of the country’s robust nation-building process.

The publication focuses on imagery from the near-50-year period in which abortion was legal in the United States. Here, she talks about abortions as an essential form of healthcare

May 24, 2024

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.

Lush greens, tangled wood, blurs of light – giant images of rainforests hang on the walls of a church in London. Sounds of the wind whipping through trees and birdsong fill the room.

The images are not of tropical rainforests, but very rare temperate rainforest in the UK. This type of woodland once covered most of western Britain and Ireland – the country’s wet, mild conditions providing the perfect conditions for it to flourish.

Today, due to excessive agriculture and development, rainforests cover less than 1% of Britain, found in isolated pockets running from Cornwall in the south to northwest Scotland.

When photographer Joanna Vestey discovered that rainforests existed in her home nation, she wanted to see them for herself and make the forests accessible for everyone else. Through a series of photographs and audio recordings, on display in an immersive exhibition in London’s Fitzrovia Chapel this week, she hopes to raise awareness of the endangered habitat, while also exploring the forests’ potential health benefits.

Forest bathing

Vestey’s first trip to a temperate rainforest was in Devon, southwest England. Stepping into it from a modern conifer forest, she immediately felt the difference: the temperature dropped, the trees became more varied – oak, birch, ash, pine, hazel – and a tangle of mosses and lichens climbed over it all. The experience was “magical,” she said.

Since then, Vestey estimated she has visited around 60% of the remaining temperate rainforests in the UK. At each spot, she would find a position to take a photograph, set up her tripod, and using an analogue camera, take a long exposure image over a period of two hours. Leaving the camera’s shutter open so long created a unique effect: “There are these incredible blurs where the wind blows branches across where it’s raining and raindrops fall on the lens,” she said. “It’s a more organic way of working.”

Her method was inspired by research into “forest bathing,” a concept that originated in Japan, whereby being quiet and calm among trees while breathing deeply is thought to help people de-stress and boost their health.

Vestey had read “Into the Forest,” a book by Japanese immunologist and forest medicine expert Dr. Qing Li, who, after extensive physiological testing, discovered that being exposed to a forest environment for two hours is beneficial mentally and physically. After four to six hours’ exposure a person’s immune functions can be boosted for one week, and after three days and two nights changes occur on a cellular level that can boost immune functions for up to 30 days, according to Li’s research. To reflect this optimal time period, Vestey’s final collection of 26 images amounts to a combined exposure time of three days and two nights.

She recorded the sounds of the forest at the same time. “(There’s) everything from babbling brooks to torrential rainfall, to noisy birds and sheep, and the beautiful wind in the trees,” she said, adding that the aim of the combined audio and visual elements is to recreate the experience of sitting in the forest for those who don’t have access.

“Anxiety levels and depression are so high at the moment, especially among young people, and there’s so much research about the connection with nature and how beneficial that can be,” she said. “I’m trying to explore whether I can share the experience I have standing in a forest, by taking it into a hospital or a clinic or a school and share in some way that virtual immersion into nature.”

Healing powers

With a grant from the UK’s Art Council, Vestey is working with a team of researchers from the University of Exeter to test whether these benefits are transferable to an audio and image experience. She has also partnered with The Thousand Year Trust, a charity founded by Merlin Hanbury-Tenison and his wife Lizzie, which is working to triple the amount of rainforest across the UK in the next 30 years.

The couple are strong advocates of the health benefits time in the rainforest can bring. After working in the British military and doing three tours in Afghanistan, Hanbury-Tenison was suffering from complex PTSD, while Lizzie was struggling after a series of miscarriages. They started spending more time in the ancient woodland at Cabilla, their family’s 300-acre farm on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall.

“Both of us were getting a lot of healing and nourishment from spending time in this space, and it became very clear to us that the healing power of nature was something we wanted to focus more of our energies upon,” said Hanbury-Tenison.

As well as working to plant more trees and restore rainforest cover across the UK, the charity is building what it calls the first Atlantic temperate rainforest research station on Bodmin Moor. Similar to Vestey, some of the research will explore whether the forests’ mental health and wellbeing benefits can be accessed outside of the natural space.

Hanbury-Tenison explained that the lichens and mosses that grow on the trees in the UK’s temperate rainforest secrete volatile organic compounds called terpenes which some say can reduce a person’s inflammation and cortisol levels, the main stress hormone, when breathed in. “We’re doing a lot of research into how we can synthesize the terpenes within the rainforest so that you could have diffusers and room misters that are put into places like NHS wards or nursing homes,” he said.

Vestey hopes that by combining scientific research with immersive art, her photographs will move from being in an exhibition space to being in a support or wellbeing space – all while raising awareness of the UK’s remaining rainforests.

“I’ve always been really interested in what photography can do, and how it can amplify things,” she said. “If you can invite someone to sit with an image … they can decide whether they now feel more connected to nature and want to do something about stewardship.”

A moving photography exhibition is set to take place at this year’s Hay Festival, highlighting the human impacts of factory farming – with a special focus on the ‘devastating’ effects felt locally and in the River Wye.

Compassion in World Farming and Friends of the River Wye have joined forces to highlight issues caused by factory farming and to showcase farmers in the Wye catchment who are committed to working with nature.

The images displayed in a thought-provoking exhibition at Hay Festival illustrate the people whose lives have been devastated by factory farming – and the British farmers pioneering a more nature-friendly future.

Severe impacts

Compassion has commissioned leading photographers to capture the portraits of people severely impacted by industrial animal farming.

These stories stretch from the UK to Europe, Brazil, and the USA. They show how the lives, health, and wellbeing of people living close to factory farms are devastated.

In South America, they show how deforestation to grow food for farmed animals is leading to community breakdown and even death threats.

In the UK over a billion animals – 85% of all UK farmed animals – are confined in factory farms every year. But factory farming isn’t just the world’s biggest cause of animal cruelty.

It’s a primary driver of wildlife declines, a serious pollutant, contributes to climate change and marine dead zones, and is a potent source of disease that risks future pandemics.

Philip Lymbery, Compassion’s Global CEO, said: “This exhibition highlights the urgent need for change but also showcases solutions.

“Ending factory farming will bring better lives to billions of farm animals across the globe, save wildlife from extinction, improve our health, and leave a planet fit for future generations.”

Trauma

Richard Dunwoody MBE, one of the exhibition photographers, added: “Everyone I photographed were clearly traumatised as a result of the intensive farming of animals in their communities.

“Although spending only a short time with the subjects, I quickly understood just how badly their lives and environments had been impacted by factory farms.

“No one should have to endure the upset, distress, and torment that they were clearly facing on a daily basis.”

Kate, an artist who featured in the exhibition, said: “I’ve had to move twice because of factory farming in Powys, and it’s been devastating.

“My dreams of finally having a home were ruined by the constant noise, smell and traffic, and the animal cruelty made me feel sick – I didn’t want to live next door to a factory, it was nearer me than the farmer.”

Agriculture is the number one source of river pollution in the UK and is responsible for over 72% of the phosphate entering the River Wye , which flows through England and Wales.

The river is suffering from algal blooms and poor water quality, partly caused by intensive poultry production in the region. More than twenty million chickens, alongside other animals in the catchment, produce more manure than the surrounding land can absorb, with the excess entering watercourses.

Polluted water is just one symptom of a farming system that is out of balance with its environment.

Change needed

Tom Tibbits, Chair of Friends of the River Wye, said: “We’ve concentrated too many animals in one area. The science tells us that the majority of the phosphorus imported into the Wye catchment comes in the form of animal feed.

“Whilst we exist to protect the River Wye, our actions impact on other precious habitats too, like the Cerrado in Brazil which is being destroyed to grow soya for intensively-farmed animals.

The Government’s new River Wye Action Plan proposes to deal with the manure mountain by installing incinerators throughout the catchment, but this does nothing to reduce the feed we’re importing from abroad. The only sustainable solution to this problem is to reduce the number of chickens we farm.”

Friends of the River Wye has taken portrait photographs of farmers in the Wye catchment who are farming with greater sensitivity to the natural world.

Farmers featured in the exhibition champion rotational grazing, cover crops, agroforestry, reducing chemical and nutrient inputs, and the importance of soil.

Ultimately, farmers are on the frontline of our climate and biodiversity crises. They need their land to be resilient to floods and drought, just as they need pollinators and healthy soils to produce good food to feed us all.

Inspiration

Eamon Bourke, a trustee of Friends of the River Wye, who photographed the famers for this exhibition said: “I was very inspired by meeting farmers throughout the Wye catchment doing innovative and experimental things to produce food whilst taking care of the land and rivers and adapting to climate change.

“I hope these images carry some of that inspiration. Farmers working with nature and leading the change is where hope lies for the Wye.”

The exhibition also launches a new Manifesto for the Wye, co-created by Friends of the River Wye alongside Save The Wye and other local river guardians, outlining the actions needed to restore the river.

It calls on the Governments of the UK and Wales to establish a single, cross-border approach to tackling the pollution crisis across the Wye catchment.

It also demands the establishment of a Water Protection Zone and enforcement action against polluters.

Compassion has launched a petition calling on world leaders to transform the global food system and end factory farming – for the sake of animals, people, and the planet. Take action to End.It.

Monorail, Steeplechase Park, Coney Island, 1981

Originally opened in 1897, Steeplechase was one of Coney Island’s original parks, which also included Dreamland and Luna Parks. It closed in 1964 and was bought by Fred Trump, Donald Trump’s father, and demolished before it could be landmarked in a failed attempt to build condos. It later reopened with children’s amusement park rides in 1970, was again abandoned in 1980, and torn down to make way for a stadium for the minor league baseball team the Brooklyn Cyclones

Photograph: Phillip Buehler