CHENNAI: Photography is a constantly evolving field, and now, Iris Photography – capturing images of a person’s eye – is becoming popular. To introduce this special aspect of photography to the people of Chennai, Madras Sound Production and Anivis Fokazing are organising India’s first-ever iris photography workshop in the city. “Iris photography focuses on capturing the intricate beauty of the human eye, blending art and science. It’s gaining global popularity for its uniqueness. This workshop signifies a major step in showcasing this art form in India. As the saying goes, ‘The eyes are the window to the soul.’ So, what better way to capture and frame the essence of the person who cares for you the most,” explains Rahul, founder of Madras Sound Production.

When you capture a person’s eye, each one is unique. “A normal eye may appear black from the outside, but with different cameras and micro lenses, we reveal intricate details inside. It’s truly fascinating to see the complexity of our iris up close. We’ve previously held two workshops in Chennai, and the response was fantastic. That’s why we’re excited to host the third ‘Iris Artistry’ workshop on March 31 at The Bistrograph in Adyar,” he adds.

Sharing details about the one-day workshop, Rahul says, “Participants can expect to see stunning images that highlight the intricate details and vibrant colours of the human iris, captured by talented photographers. The workshop will include interactive sessions providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the art and techniques of iris photography. While iris photography exists in some foreign countries, they rely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and graphics, resulting in heavily edited outputs that depict eyes differently. However, here, we showcase the eyes in their natural state.”

After the Chennai workshop, the team plans to conduct pan-India workshops to introduce more people to this unique form of photography. “In India, we are exploring this for the first time. It’s not an easy task, photographers require a lot of practice for this,” explains Rahul. To register for the workshop, contact: 7397699045

In a flip phone video from 2007, when I was four, I am heard in the background saying, “Can I take a picture? Can I take a picture?” Little did everyone know, that was the beginning of the end!

With that being said, as a life-long amateur photographer and lover of 2000’s pop culture, I have to give props to some of my favorite photographers from that era! 

David LaChapelle

LaChapelle’s pop-surrealistic work pushes social boundaries, radiating vibrancy and glamor. His artistry is unparalleled, truly setting him apart in the industry. No one does it quite at the level LaChapelle does. The first time I saw LaChapelle’s work, I was captivated by his conceptual imagery and instantly became a fan of his celebrity portraits.

Phil Knott

Widely recognized for his authentic portraits of musicians, Knott’s work is not only striking but deeply rich and raw, capturing the true essence of his subjects. His images almost offer a glimpse into the souls of those he photographs.

Alison Jackson

Jackson is renowned for her iconic lookalike photographs of celebrities. She skillfully manipulates her subjects into scenarios that often deceive the public, creating images that appear startlingly real due to their paparazzi or documentary style. Her work delves into society’s fascination with celebrity culture.

Steven Klein

Klein’s work is often provocative and known for its theatrical, unique qualities that incorporate high fashion. Many of his shoots also feature elements of the macabre, ​such as the use of dark lighting or gruesome depictions. His daring approach to photography challenges conventions and norms.

Petra Collins

Not exactly a photographer from the 2000’s, but rather the 2010s, much of Collins’ work is heavily influenced by nostalgia, coming of age and the Y2K aesthetic. Her pastel, dreamlike, fantasy style is reminiscent of “Girl Culture” by Lauren Greenfield (another personal favorite of mine) or a Sofia Coppola film. Instead of shooting digitally, Collins shoots in 35mm film. Her photographs are very personal and intimate, contributing to current-day pop culture.

Markus Klinko

Klinko is well-known for defining 2000’s pop culture with many of his images. He uses various techniques and a wide range of aesthetics, depending on his subject, making him very adaptable. Like many of the artists on this list, his portfolio is extremely high-profile and culturally significant.

Mark Hunter “The Cobrasnake”

Ruling and encapsulating the indie sleaze party scene as one of the most popular nightlife photographers in the 2000’s, Hunter’s photos are bold and spontaneous. They exude a carefree, lively energy that makes you, as a viewer, feel like you’re in the moment too.

I have been a fan of Hunter for several years, and his book, “The Cobrasnake: Y2Ks Archive,” was my first photography book. I purchased it the second it hit shelves.

Martin Schoeller 

An image from Schoeller is almost immediately recognizable due to his distinctive close-up style and level of sharpness. This “in your face” nature of his work reveals every physical feature and innermost emotion of his subjects. Schoeller’s photographs are deeply human and truly genuine.

Additional favorite photographers: Annie Leibovitz, Mark Seliger, Terrence O’Connor, William Eggleston, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Robert Sebree.

The Vermilion County Conservation District is showcasing a collection of work by local photographer Jared Lowe at the Kennekuk Education Center, Kennekuk County Park.

An opening reception with his photography will be held on Sunday, April 21, from 1-4 p.m.

Jared Lowe became fascinated with photography when he discovered Mathew Brady’s photos of the Civil War. Being an outdoor person, Jared was also drawn to National Geographic-themed photos.

Inspired by his love of wildlife and the natural landscape, and with encouragement from his grandmother, Jared began his photography journey in 2019. Using a Nikon DX3200 and his Android phone, Jared specializes in landscape, wildlife, and weather photography.

Nostalgic scenes of old barns and buildings, basketball hoops, and abandoned places are also evident in Jared’s collection. His goal is to showcase natural beauty with the hope that our busy society will stop to remember the simple things.

Lowe’s work will remain at the park Education Center for viewing by appointment for the next several months.

For more information, please call 217-442-1691, or email ldanzl@vccd.org.

Kennekuk County Park is located at 22296 Henning Road, Danville.

Scottsdale ArtsFest treats local families to 2 days of creativity

By Arianna Grainey | Free Press Photography

Over the course of two days local families were treated to a community arts event like no other — featuring live performances, interactive demonstrations and culinary delights.

The Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong was held March 22 and 23 at SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center in south Scottsdale.

The event is a partnership between Arizona State University, the Scottsdale Unified School District, Scottsdale Arts, the city of Scottsdale, and the SkySong development team.

Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong provided a free, two-day festival of creativity that included performances, interactive demonstrations, creative interventions, and culinary delights from local food trucks throughout the SkySong campus.

Over the course of the event, attendees experienced performances and art exhibitions delivered by Scottsdale Unified School District students, family friendly arts activities presented by Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, and interactive demonstrations from Scottsdale departments.

Photographer captures stunning images of ‘rivers of rust’ in Canada

CNN’s Isa Soares speaks with photographer Edward Burtynsky about his exhibit on climate change, which highlights nature’s beauty and our destruction of it.

Taylor Swift’s father, Scott Swift, will not face charges for allegedly punching a photographer in Australia, New South Wales Police Force confirmed to CBS News.

The incident occurred in February when Swift was in Melbourne for her Eras Tour. The pop star and her father, then 71, were coming off a yacht at the Neutral Bay Wharf, where veteran paparazzi photographer Ben McDonald was taking photos of them, the Associated Press reported at the time. 

In a statement to CBS News at the time, a representative for Taylor Swift told CBS News that “two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water.” 

McDonald told police Swift assaulted him. “There were about four or five security there and at one point, one of the American security started shoving his umbrella into me and my camera and then Taylor got in her car,” McDonald then told the AP.

“Someone else came running at me and punched me in the left side of my face. Initially, I thought it was an Australian security that was trying to be the hero of the moment in front of the Americans, but as it turned out it was her father,” McDonald added.

McDonald reported the alleged incident to police but was not seriously injured, AFP reports.

The New South Wales Police Force did not release the names of the parties involved but confirmed they were investigating a 71-year-old man who allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at 2:30 a.m.

McDonald later identified Scott Swift from an online picture. “In 23 years, I haven’t been assaulted and punched in the chops, particularly by the talent’s dad,” he told the AP. 

Scott Swift soon left Australia, police said. Taylor Swift also left via private jet after seven sold-out stadium concerts in the country. 

Fans, who dubbed the star’s dad “Papa Swift,” defended Scott in social media posts.

The police told CBS News that after investigating the incident, they decided they “will take no further action in relation to the matter.”

Caitlin O’Kane

Caitlin O’Kane is a New York City journalist who works on the CBS News social media team as a senior manager of content and production. She writes about a variety of topics and produces “The Uplift,” CBS News’ streaming show that focuses on good news.

A photographer unexpectedly captured the first-of-a-kind image of a seal spitting a jet of water at a sea eagle — a defensive behavior that was not previously known about.

Photographer and bird-watcher Clare Jacobs was delighted when she spotted a rare white-tailed eagle on the Isle of Wight in the U.K. on January 3, 2022.

Clare had trained her Nikon DSLR camera and 600mm telephoto lens on the eagle when she noticed a grey seal moving in the water underneath.

The large mammal emerged out of the waves, barked at the bird, before opening its mouth and and spitting a jet of water at the sea eagle above it.

As she took the photograph, Clare did not realize that she had just captured something that has never been reported happening from a seal to an eagle. In fact, interactions between top-level predators are basically non-existent.

An Unprecedented Defensive Tactic Captured on Camera

Clare sent the photos to her daughter Megan Jacobs who is a paleontologist from the University of Portsmouth’s School of the Environment, Geography, and Geosciences and fellow paleontologist David Martill.

Captured on camera, the encounter showed the grey seal initially emitting barks of warning, but then resorting to an unprecedented defensive tactic: spitting a stream of water directly at the eagle.

From the photos, Megan and David realized that the seal might have spat at the eagle in an attempt to drive the bird away as a way of defending the prey that they’re both after: the fish in the water.

In a paper published last month, David and Megan reveal how Clare’s extraordinary photos shed new light on the dynamics between these two apex predators.

“Sightings of grey seals and white-tailed eagles are frequent events now on the Isle of Wight, but interactions between these two species have so far not been reported,” Megan says in a statement to University of Portsmouth News.

“This is the first record of an interaction between these two top predators and the first report of grey seals using spitting as a means of defense or deterrence against an aerial foe.

“The spitting may be a strategy to exclude white-tailed eagles from competing for prey as they’re in direct competition for fish resources.”

Clare adds: “I’m always thrilled to catch photos of the eagles. But catching such a rare and never-before-seen interaction made my year!”

According to The New York Times, the photographs makes grey seals one of the few species known to spit — joining cobras, which can shoot venom from their fangs into the eyes of would-be predators, with impressive accuracy.

 
Image credits: All photos by Clare Jacobs.